Dear Members and Friends,
The New Year is off to a fast start and I hope that your prospects are good and soon to be realized. As business people we know how to plan and budget but operating in a changing environment adds to the challenge.

For AmCham we are looking to do more of the same, that is to say, being of greater service to you our members by providing or assisting things or services that contribute to your success. In some cases this may be information on taxes, while for others it may be an introduction, facilitation with a visa request, or a petition to a government authority (Uzbek or other) regarding a matter of specific interest. Whatever it is, we will try to help.

In the meantime we look forward to a busy schedule of activities that will include our monthly meetings and a line-up of interesting speakers, to the special seminars and conferences we are always eager to organize and co-sponsor. I'm also very pleased to report that Charles Rudd has graciously agreed to replace Jeff Erlich as Editor of the newsletter. Chuck brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the task and we look forward to his leadership in making AmCham's bulletin a piece of required reading. We regret Jeffs untimely departure and wish he and his family safe landing and continued success.

As your re-elected president our mission remains the same, to provide consistent and ever-improving services to the AmCham membership.

Warmest regards,
Don Nicholson

Letter from the Editor

AmCham Uzbekistan's official quarterly publication, "Business Connections", has developed from a email newsletter publication to one of the leading English language business journals in Uzbekistan. Each quarter the magazine provides coverage of AmCham related topics as well as exclusive interviews and articles on issues of greater importance to the Uzbckistani business community. In this issue we report the passing of the "baton" from the magazine founding Editor, AmCham Board Member, Jeff Erlich, to Charles Rudd who will attempt to fill the 'big shoes" left behind by Jeff as he leaves Uzbekistan for his new desk in Almaty Kazakhstan. We want to take this opportunity on behalf of all the AmCham members and staff to thank Jeff for his dedication, professionalism, time and creativity which has given our AmCham community a fine magazine which has enhanced the image of AmCham in Uzbekistan. Jeff, Good luck and best wishes from all of us.

We want also to thank Marat Akhmedjanov, and the staff of SilkPress. Online Public Corporation for their financial, creative and production contributions to this magazine. We look forward to working closely with Marat and his team to maintain or improve the quality and content of "Business Connections".

To continue this effort of preparing "Business Connections", I want to solicit the support and inputs from all AmCham members. This magazine is yours! You support it with your annual dues but we also need your ideas, recommendations, inputs, energy, moral support and enthusiasm. I would encourage all our AmCham members to follow Marat's leadership and get involved directly in the process of making this magazine a useful reflection of AmCham of Uzbekistan's dedication to improve the economic environment and help our host country and membership to prosper and grow. With your active support we will try our best to sustain the quality and level of professionalism of the magazine left in our care by Jeff.

Charles Rudd