AmCham bridge brings wide benefits

With roots in China for more than 20 years, the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham-China) is committed to building bridges between businesses, government authorities and people to promote vibrant and constructive economic relationships.

"We are pleased that the chamber has been both a witness and participant in the development and progress that taking place in China," James Zimmerman, chairman of AmCham, told China Daily.

"The year 2008 is important for all of us because it is not only the 30th year of China's reform but also the 30th year since the normalization of diplomatic relationship between our two countries," he said.

With nearly 2,700 members from over 1,100 companies and representing about 90 percent of companies on the Fortune 500 list, AmCham's top mission is to help American business succeed in China through advocacy, information, networking and business support services.

The chamber, through its annual White Paper on American business in China, offers its unique insights and assessment of the business climate in China and makes recommendations to both the US and Chinese governments to strengthen bilateral economic relations.

The paper is widely considered a definitive report on US companies doing business in China and has served as a benchmark of progress and as a catalyst for furthering bilateral discussion.

"It is something we have been doing for 10 years and it is a reflection of our dialog and engagement with the Chinese government as well as the US government," Zimmerman said.

Also on AmCham's agenda is building bridges with the Chinese government on economic and trade issues.

"We do this through activities such as provincial visits and an appreciation dinner as ways to share our views with Chinese government officials and thank them for their continued efforts to reform the economic and legal system to make the business environment better," Zimmerman said.

He noted that AmCham-China also facilitates Chinese businesses going to the US, as well as encourages more travel to the country.

"We have a program called 'invest in America' coming up in September," Zimmerman said. "It is designed to help Chinese businessmen who want to set up firms or to acquire business in the US by providing them with legal, tax and real estate expertise."

In the US, AmCham engages both the executive and legislative branches in Washington.

Each year the chamber sends a delegation of members and representatives of governors to the US capital. The Washington trip, also known as the "door knock," is an opportunity for AmCham to discuss recommendations with American policy makers on US-China trade relations and discuss ways to improve the bilateral business environment.

"Our goal is to ensure that they understand the benefits to the American people and encourage them to view the relationship in a positive way," Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman said most US companies remain confident in China as an investment destination.

According to the AmCham's 2008 business survey, 89 percent of US companies have an optimistic or slightly optimistic outlook for the next five years, while 83 percent plan to expand in 2008.

While recognizing progress in the business environment in China, Zimmerman said AmCham-China continues to advocate fairer market access, greater transparency and consistency of the legal enforcement in China.

"Making the environment more friendly and easier for people to do business is very important," he said.

Although focused primarily on economic relations, AmCham has reached beyond business to a range of activities promoting corporate social responsibility (CSR).

"CSR is about giving back to the community. We have worked and lived in China for a long time and many of our members view China as their home, so they are concerned about issues like the environment, poverty and education," said Zimmerman

AmCham members are currently taking initiatives on the environment, public health and reducing poverty.

"About 5 percent of our time involves CSR, but it is really 95 percent of who we are. It demonstrates that a company is socially responsible and defines the organization," he said.

Zimmerman, who just returned from Sichuan province, said his trip to the quake region gave him a better understanding of the scale and severity of the damage.

"Our delegation went to refugee camps and talked to people affected by the earthquake," he said. "It is painful to see the devastation - the number of homeless is phenomenal."

Zimmerman said member companies of AmCham-China will invest in Sichuan and help rebuild the region because the strength and the drive of the people in Sichuan deeply touched them.

AmCham-China members have to date donated more than $97 million in cash to the relief effort that will be used for reconstruction, including construction of permanent homes.

Zimmerman said the balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability means putting people first.

"Member companies of AmCham in China have the same high standards of environmental protection as they do in the US. And they are willing to spend money on environmentally friendly technology," he said.

(China Daily 07/04/2008 page22)