In recent months, we have witnessed dramatic events unfold throughout the Middle East and North Africa. From Tunisia to Egypt, to 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 an historic period, with implications not only for the region's peoples, but for the United States and the American business community.

Freer trade with the region has fueled economic growth and has led to large-scale infrastructure development and job creation throughout the Middle East. U.S. companies, large and small, and across all sectors, have been working with the people and private sector throughout the Middle East for decades. These partnerships have helped integrate Middle Eastern countries into the global economy, which -- along with the right government policies and trade practices can enable nations to achieve even higher -- and more broadly shared -- levels of sustained growth. Yet much remains to be done.

The Chamber's Middle East and North Africa Team is deeply committed to advancing the business goals of its member companies, and we are expanding our capacity to keep abreast of fast-moving developments throughout the region. We do so while ensuring that we provide meaningful programmatic value to our members. By leveraging our relationships at the highest levels of the United States and regional governments, we are able to assure that the imperative of private sector-led growth remains at the forefront of the policy agenda. We are committed to fighting for greater protection of intellectual property rights and lower barriers to trade and investment. Through our Middle East and North Africa programming, our team works with regional partners to encourage the stability of regional governing structures and to ensure respect for the rule of law – critical elements of the enabling environment for long-term private sector growth and opportunity.