UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE The Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade Washington, D.C. 20230 NOV - 8 2010 American Chamber of Commerce Ivo Lola Ribar 59A-1/15 1000 Skopje Republic of Macedonia Dear Members: I warmly congratulate the members of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Skopje, Macedonia, as you celebrate its 10 th anniversary. From its foundation, AmCham Macedonia has been an important partner for the Department of Commerce, and we highly value our close relationship. Both AmCham Macedonia and the U.S. business community in Macedonia have played a leading role in the country's transformation to a market economy and in deepening U.S.-Macedonian economic and commercial relations. AmCham Macedonia has compiled an impressive record of achievement, particularly through its committees. The Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Committee, which organized IPR training for over 80 judges and prosecutors, is an excellent example. We also applaud AmCham Macedonia efforts to increase transparency in the Macedonian business environment and its commitment to corporate social responsibility, both key elements of a successful economy. We look forward to continuing our joint efforts to support U.S. business interests in the Macedonian market. I wish you and AmCham Macedonia continued success. Sincerely, Michelle O'Neill cc: Sonja McGurk, Executive Director
Dear AmCham members, Since its establishment in November 2000, AmCham Macedonia became one of the first organizations in the country to offer investors confidence in Macedonia as a new business environment for foreign investors. In the early years AmCham was primarily a networking organization. While, however, networking remains a very important part of what we do, the scope of the Chamber's activity has expanded significantly to include publications - with a quarterly magazine, monthly e-newsletters, committees, business forums and conferences, advocacy and else. In accordance with our strategic objectives, AmCham Macedonia also became an active and constructive partner with the Macedonian government in the improvement of the busi ness environment and conducting advocacy, thus enabling the implementation of best business practices. The Chamber has actively cooperated with the government on different pieces of legislation and strategic policy documents. We are currently working with the Ministry of Labor to change the legislation and allow internships to be incorporates into the Labor Law, hoping that this measure will lead to the reduction in the number of unemployed persons in the country. Also, I must mention our close cooperation with the Coordinative Body on IPR Issues, which, together with our IPR Committee, paves the way to eradicate IPR violations in Macedonia. Our achievements throughout these years would not have been possible without the unwavering support and commitment of all of you, AmCham members, as well as friends such as the U.S. Embassy and USAID who we sincerely thank for their valuable partnership and support. I am looking forward to our continuous cooperation for future development of the Chamber and pursuing our strategic goals. We will continue to be a driver for positive change in Macedonian business climate for the ongoing success of our stakeholders and society as a whole. Stefan Plavjanski President of the Board of Directors
Dear AmCham members and friends, I am especially proud to lead AmCham as its Executive Director as it celebrates its 10 th anniversary on 17 th of November. We continue to depend on the commitment of our members to ensure that we can deliver the highest possible level of support to our members and the wider business community in Macedonia. Our purpose has remained the same during this 10- year period as stated in our Mission: to support and advance the interests of the U.S., international and leading local businesses in Macedonia, and to promote the competitiveness of the country. The world has changed dramatically from the time AmCham was first formed in November 2000. The process of globalization has firmly taken hold and provided incredible levels of business opportunities as well as social and political development. The role of AmCham is even more important than ever it is to promote and lead through its advocacy activities and pave the way for Macedonian businesses to integrate themselves into the wider European and worldwide market. Our committees, on IPR issues, Workforce Development and Corporate Governance, are leaders in their own fields and pave the way for adopting appropriate legislations and their timely implementation. I hope you will also join me in wishing AmCham a happy birthday! And here is to 10 more years! Sonja McGurk AmCham Executive Director
AmCham Macedonia First Annual Cocktail (100th member application recognized at cocktail) Annual General Assembly with Boris Trajkovski, President of the Republic of Macedonia Business After Hours with Philip Morrris
Jason Miko, AmCham Executive Director Member to member cocktail sponsored by FedEx Michael Einik, U.S. Ambassdor
Leadership Luncheon with Marie-Helene Bricknell, Resident Representative of the World Bank Office in Skopje Leadership Luncheon with Zoran Jolevski, Secretary General of the President of Republic of Macedonia
Annual General Assembly First Annual Charity Event AmCham Holiday Party
Verica Hadzi Vasileva Markovska, President of the Board of Directors Leadership Luncheon with Branko Crvenkovski, Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia Leadership Luncheon with Radmila Sekerinska, Deputy Prime Minister and Teuta Arifi, Parliamentarian
Art Charity Event to help the School for Children with Development Problems in Veles Economist Conference
Antoni Pesev, President of the Board of Directors Member to Member Event Leadership Luncheon with John W. Ganio, Vice Counselor for Education, Phyllis A. Hannah, President of Laser Light Technologies and Linda A. Weber, Coordinator of the Office of International Education
William F. Hennessey, AmCham Executive Director Annual General Assembly
Gillian A. Milovanovic, U.S. Ambassador Leadership luncheon with Radmila Sekerinska, Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration
Leadership Luncheon with Vlado Buckovski, Prime Minister of the R. of Macedonia Leadership Luncheon with Howard F. Rosen Board Elections Annual General Assembly
Leadership Luncheon with Nikola Gruevski, Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia Nikola Gruevski, Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia Dejan Kalinikov, President of the Board of Directors
Ivan Steriev, CEO, Macedonia Stock Exchange How to Seize the Opportunities of the Macedonian Stock Exchange Annual Charity Event "Let s Help Our Children"
Leadership Discussion with Vele Samak, Minister without Portfolio, responsible for attracting foreign investments Slovenian Investment in Macedonia Business Forum
Leadership Luncheon with Gligor Tashkovic, Minister for Foreign Investments Welcome Cocktail for New Members
Bilateral Conference on Intellectual Property Rights Protection Welcome Cocktail with Philip T. Reeker, U.S. Ambassador
Leadership Roundtable with Bert Van Selm, IMF Resident Representative for Macedonia Annual Charity Tennis Tournament to support volunteers at "Poraka" - Negotino
Leadership Roundtable and Luncheon with Gjorge Ivanov, President of the Republic of Macedonia Annual General Assembly
Roundtable Discussion on Intellectual Property Rights Protection Board Elections AmCham Christmas Reception
Business Forum on Climate Change Business To Business Meeting AmCham Macedonia - AmCham Kosovo
Business Forum on e-commerce AmCham Bulgaria Business Mission to Macedonia
2001 Board of Directors Verica Hadzi Vasileva Markovska, Ernst & Young (President) Antoni Pesev, Ultra Computing (Vice President) Kristijan Polenak, Polenak Law Firm (Secretary/Treasurer) Jorgo Cuka, Ohis Zivko Gruevski, Yucan Trade International Vladimir Pesevski, SEAF Macedonia Blagoja Samakoski, Mikrosam 2002 Board of Directors (June 2002 - June 2003) Verica Hadzivasileva Markovska, Ernst & Young (President) Antoni Pesev, Ultra Computing (Vice President) Kristijan Polenak, Polenak Law Firm (Secretary/Treasurer) Jorgo Cuka, Ohis Blagoja Samakoski, Microsam Richard Hurelbrink, Land O Lakes Jason Cahill, Move One 2003 Board of Directors (June 2002 -June 2003) Verica Hadzi Vasileva Markovska, Ernst & Young (President) Antoni Pesev, Ultra Computing (Vice President) Kristijan Polenak, Polenak Law Firm (Secretary/Treasurer) Jason Cahill, Move One Jorgo Cuka, Ohis Richard Hurelbrink, Land O'Lakes Blagoja Samakoski, Microsam 2004 Board of Directors (June 2004 -July2005) Antoni Pesev, Ultra Computing (President) Atila Ademi, Philip Morris (Vice President) Irena Jakimova Apelgren, McCann Erickson (Secretary/Treasurer) William N. Dunn, Individual Member Janko Trenkovski, R3 Infomedia Dejan Kalinikov, SEAF Macedonia Kristijan Polenak, Polenak Law Firm 2005 Board of Directors (September 2005 September 2006) William N. Dunn, Individual Member (President) Kristijan Polenak, Polenak Law Firm (Vice President) Dejan Kalinikov, SEAF - Macedonia (Secretary/Treasurer) Irena Eftimova, Makedonijalek Irena Jakimova, McCann Erickson Tose Kocevski, Pikon Venko Shapkar, AMAC SP JSC
2006 Board of Directors Kristijan Polenak, Polenak Law Firm (President) Dejan Kalinikov, SEAF - Macedonia (First Vice President) Marjan Bojadziev, University American College, Skopje (Second Vice President) Lidija Nanush, Deloitte (Secretary/Treasurer) William N. Dunn, Individual Member Ilijanco Gagovski, Microsoft Macedonia Ljupco Zikov, Kapital Media Group 2007 Board of Directors (September 2007 September 2008) Dejan Kalinikov, SEAF Macedonia (President) Marjan Bojadziev, University American College Skopje (First Vice President) Ilijanco Gagovski, Microsoft Macedonia (Second Vice President) Lidija Nanush, Deloitee Skopje (Secretary/Treasurer) Stefan Plavjanski, HP IT BV Branch Office Skopje Ivan Steriev, Macedonian Stock Exchange Ljupco Zikov, Kapital Media Group 2008 Board of Directors Ilijanco Gagovski, Microsoft Macedonia (President) Marjan Bojadziev, University American College Skopje (First Vice President) Stefan Plavjanski, HP IT BV Branch Office Skopje (Second Vice President) Ivan Steriev, Macedonian Stock Exchange (Secretary/Treasurer) Bozidar Jankovski, Diners Club Macedonia Jovan Madjovski, CEED Macedonia Klaus Mueller, Makedonski Telekom Skopje 2009 Board of Directors Ilijanco Gagovski, Microsoft Macedonia (President) Stefan Plavjanski, HP IT BV Branch Office Skopje (First Vice President) Jovan Madjovski, CEED Macedonia (Second Vice President) Ruzica Filipceva, Grant Thornton (Secretary/Treasurer) Bozidar Jankovski, Diners Club Macedonia Klaus Mueller, Makedonski Telekom Skopje Valerijan Monevski, Law Office Monevski 2010 Board of Directors Stefan Plavjanski, HP IT BV Branch Office Skopje (President) Jovan Madjovski, CEED Macedonia (First Vice President) Valerijan Monevski, Law Office Monevski (Second Vice President) Ruzica Filipceva, Grant Thornton (Secretary/Treasurer) Bozidar Jankovski, Diners Club Macedonia Avram Stojcevski, Jonson Controls Macedonia Werner Hengst, EVN Macedonia
With special thanks to: Gold Sponsor Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors
American Chamber of Commerce in Macedonia 2010 American Chamber of Commerce in Macedonia Ivo Lola Ribar 59A-1/15 1000 Skopje Macedonia Phone: ++389 2 3216 714 Fax: ++389 2 3246 950 Email: info@amcham.com.mk Website: www.amcham.com.mk All rights reserved under international copyright conventions. No parts of this publication may be translated, reproduced or transmitted in any form without written consent of the Publisher. 2010 American Chamber of Commerce in Macedonia Ema Haralampieva Palitova, Design