Southeast-Israel Chamber to Unveil Strategic Trade Plan

The American-Israel Chamber of Commerce-Southeast Region (AICC) will present at a luncheon to be held Tuesday, Sept. 12 at the Sheraton Colony Square Hotel in midtown Atlanta a five-year plan designed to increase business between the region and Israel.

Although the more than 300-member organization has completed 18 transactions valued at more than $365 million since its founding in 1992, the need for a plan to carry the organization into the next century was urged during an organizational meeting in March hosted by Board Member Bernard Marcus, a founder of Home Depot.

At a second session hosted in April by Board Member Marty Dickens, executive vice president of BellSouth International, consensus was reached to go ahead with the project.

 Home Depot during the past few years has traded extensively with Israeli companies and BellSouth International is a part owner of Cellcom Israel, Ltd.

“Shaping a New Reality” is the theme of the plan and it will be  presented at the luncheon by Michael Mescon, CEO of The Mescon Group, which oversaw the organization’s strategic planning process and by Andre Schnabl, chairman of AICC’s Strategic Plan Steering Committee.

The plan takes into account, according to AICC Executive Director Tom Glaser, the prospect of peace with Israel’s neighbors, the slowing down of the massive immigration from the former Soviet Union, and the increasing demands on the chamber’s initial supporters to fund other services.

The plan also addresses the challenge of increasing the level of trade and investment between Israel and the Southeast through a targeted industry strategy, utilization of new technologies and marketing programs and increased membership to bring greater financial and human resources.

The cost of the luncheon which will begin at noon is $25 per person.  Reservations should be made by contacting AICC at (404) 874-6970.

The Consular Missions of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica have united to put on festivities commemorating their Independence Day, Friday, Sept. 15.  A family picnic will be held at Candler Park, at 1500 McLendon Road, Saturday, Sept. 16 from noon to 6 p.m.  Sponsors include Coca-Cola, America Central Corp., Los Amigos-Tortilla Manufacturing, Inc. and El Deportivo y Mundo Hispanico.  Call: (404) 486-9469; fax, (404)487-2523.