Remarks At AMCHAM Anniversary Gala Celebration

October 9, 2008

La Rural, Salón Rojo

Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is a great honor for me to be here with you tonight as the US Ambassador to Argentina to celebrate the historic 90th anniversary of the American Chamber of Commerce in Argentina.

I spoke on Tuesday at your well-attended conference about how your 90 years of success reflect the strong bilateral commercial relationship that our two countries enjoy today.  As Martín Redrado said, "timing is everything" and your timeliness could not have been better.  More and more, it is obvious to me that the AmCham represents the collective accomplishments of the most important emissaries that our two countries have.   All of you, as the representatives of the business community, bring our two great nations closer together every day through the positive economic and social effects your firms have in Argentina.

Of particular satisfaction for me during my tour here as US Ambassador is the work you are doing in the area of corporate social responsibility.  My colleagues and I at the US Embassy try to shine a spotlight on your wonderful work to promote your local  communities as often as we can.  Your pioneering work is a very clear, easy-to-understand demonstration of how private investment can be a transformative force for good.

And while I can recite the statistics of how AmCham members represent the biggest and most longstanding investors, the best employers, and the most innovative firms in Argentina, what I would like to leave with you tonight are my words of thanks for something that cannot be measured by economists.  I want to thank you for the very important friendships that you and your colleagues have created between our two countries.  The person to person relationships that you all have built are invaluable.  And, from my own perspective and that of my Embassy colleagues, we very much appreciate the friendship created as we, the Embassy and the business community, work together to deepen the ties between the great nations of the United States and Argentina.

AmCham Argentina was and will continue to be a vital partner of the United States and Argentine governments in growing the economic and commercial relations that our two great nations enjoy today.  We have perhaps an even greater responsibility in this time of economic challenges to pull together in support of growth, jobs and prosperity.  I look forward to continuing our constructive dialog and partnership for days and decades to come.  I especially look forward to continuing our partnership, which means a great deal to me.

Congratulations to the American Chamber of Commerce in Argentina on your 90-year anniversary.