Dramatic events have unfolded throughout the Middle East and North Africa in the last several years. From Tunisia to Egypt, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, citizens are demanding reform and a transition to transparent and accountable governance. They are also clamoring for more equitable and broad-based economic development, growth, and job creation. This is a historic period with implications not only for the people in the region but for the United States and the U.S. business community.

Freer trade with the region has fueled economic growth and has led to large-scale infrastructure development and job creation throughout Turkey, the Middle East, and North Africa. U.S. companies, large and small and across all sectors, have been working with the private sector across the region for decades. These partnerships have helped integrate Middle East and North African countries into the global economy, and—with the right government policies and trade practices—they can help nations achieve broader levels of sustained growth. Yet much remains to be done.

The U.S. Chamber’s Turkey, Middle East, and North Africa Department is committed to advancing the business goals of its members and expanding its ability to keep abreast of fast-moving developments in the region. By leveraging relationships at the highest levels of the U.S. and regional governments, the department ensures that the imperative of private sector-led growth remains at the forefront of the policy agenda while providing meaningful programmatic value to companies. Through programming, it works with regional partners to encourage the stability of local governing structures and ensure respect for the rule of law.