On 07 December 2005, AmCham held ils annual General Assembly meeting al the Intercontinental Hotel. This General Assembly meeting is the mandated by the By-Laws of the American Chamber of Commerce in Uzbekistan. This General Assembly meeting is the highlight meeting of the year where AmCham membership can hear reports about the past results, activities of the year 2005 and plans for the next year. The membership also has the opportunity to vole on any major issues presented and select the members of the Board of Directors for the year 2006.

The meeting was opened by Donald Nicholson II, SI-AF, who was the 2005 President of AmCham Uzbekistan. Mr. Nicholson made a detailed and comprchensiv e presentation about AmCham's past activities and presented for consideration of the membership his view of the AmCham plans and goals for the year 2006.

Hugo Minderhoud, ABN Amro Bank, Amcham's Treasurer presented the financial results of the year 2005 and discussed some of the financial aspects, challenges and prospects faced by AmCham in 2006.

In recognition of their contribution of time, talent and energy promoting the interests of AtnCham and its membership. Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Sergey Kapustin sergey@esectorsolutions.com and Yana Kiseleva yana@esectorsolutions.com members of the E-sector Solutions team. AmCham member company. Sector Solutions is the creator and supporter of the American Chamber of Commerce in Uzbekistan website http://www.amcham.uz

Also receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from AmCham was Vera Markarova, Audit AS, for her persistent and dedicated work in creating and directing the Tax and Accounting Committee. Vera organized several excellent, informative seminars for the AmCham members and has nurtured excellent relationships with key personnel of the Uzbek Tax organizations allowing AmCham to engage in mutually beneficial dialogs with these important government organizations.
Both these organizations Sector Solutions and Audit-AS clearly have demonstrated that even small members of AmCham can make significant and lasting benefits for the membership and contribute to the improvement of economic welfare and development of the country.

The final part of the meeting's agenda included the election of Directors of the Board of Directors for 2006. All the incumbent Directors expressed their desire to stand as candidates for re­election to the 2006 Board of Directors. Christian Buchholz, Daimler Chrysler, offered his candidacy for the Director seat vacated by Rene IJsselstein, UzBAT, who left Uzbekistan in October 2005 for another assignment. Ballots were distributed to the voting members, voting was completed, results were tabulated and results of the vote were announced to the General Assembly. The elected Directors were congratulated and the meeting was adjourned.

AmCham Uzbekistan was established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA on 13 September 1996. AmCham's representation office in Tashkent was accredited by Uzbekistan authorities in 1997. Plans are currently being prepared to celebrate later this year the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the American Chamber of Commerce in Uzbekistan.