 |
Subscribe to THE CYPRIOT CONNECTION |
Dear Members and Friends:
There is important news to share! In September 2010, the Cyprus-U.S. Chamber marked its 12th year in service to the business community. I am proud of all that we have been able to accomplish and look forward to new and exciting events to come in 2011.
The Cyprus-U.S. Chamber is dedicated to promoting U.S. economic relations with Cyprus and equally important, is its mission to foster business ventures and economic advancement among our members here in the United States.
Out past events included a “Cyprus Investment Forum” at the Harvard Club in New York. The Chamber co-sponsored the event with the Cyprus Embassy Trade Center, the seminar entitled, Investing through Cyprus, promoted Cyprus as a base for U.S. financial institutions to facilitate their worldwide investment activities.
The Chamber and the Cyprus Federation of America, sponsored a book presentation and photographic exhibition promoting Cyprus‘ heritage entitled, “Phlamoudhi: From the Bronze Age to the Digital Era” held at the Consulate General of the Republic of Cyprus, New York.
In addition, the Chamber organized networking events throughout the past year with three distinct trade delegations of Cyprus companies seeking marketing opportunities in the United States, for their agriculture and manufactured products.
The 2010 Distinguished Merit Award was presented to Mr. Evripides Kontos at our annual dinner. He is a man of unwavering dedication in fighting for a just solution for Cyprus. He has worked to build commerce between our two countries and has generously contributed to the pro-motion of Hellenism in America.
The Chamber‘s annual career fair, now in its 7th year, will take place on Thursday, March 31, 2011. The ability to reach out to so many candidates during these challenging economic times is much needed and gratifying. Over thirty companies ( six more than last year) will participate and provide information about their companies and share recruitment needs. We would like to thank our cosponsors: Cypriot Youth Committee of America (CYCA), Hellenic Organization of University Graduates of America (HOUGA), The Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals (HACCYP) and the American Hellenic Institute-New York Chapter (AHI), Hellenic American Bankers Association (HABA) and the Hellenic American Young Professionals.
Our Distinguished Merit Award Dinner for 2011 will be held on Friday, May 6, 2011. The Chamber is proud to announce that this year our honoree will be Cypriot born Dr. Christopher A. Pissarides, 2010 Nobel Prize Laure-ate for his work in Economic Science. We are very ex-cited to have the opportunity to celebrate Dr. Pissarides‘ remarkable and extraordinary achievement at this year‘s award dinner.
In the year ahead, we aspire to a new phase of growth; not only in membership but, in new ways to deliver our commitment to build trade and viable economic relations between Cyprus and the United States.
It has long been my feeling, and I speak for the Board of Directors, that we need to encourage the next generation to join our mission. As a first step, we will invite young professional and university students to attend our annual dinner and support the establishment of their own network.
Another goal is to launch an internship programs for Hellenic-American University students to work in their field of study with Cyprus based companies. The Chamber is in the drafting stages of this program and we hope to initiate our first interns to arrive in Cyprus in early 2012.
Of course, nothing is ever achieved without the dedication of our distinguished Board of Directors, our Executive Director Despina Axiotakis, loyal members and the business community. Personally, I want to thank everyone for their continuing support.
I would like to take this opportunity to salute our former presidents, Chairman Mr. Andy Comodromos and Mr. Peter Kakoyiannis. The success the Chamber has achieved is due to their many years of service and leadership.
To all, I extend my very best wishes.
Dennis C. Droushiotis
President
