Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC)

Background

At the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE), we recognize that the sustainable development and reconstruction of Afghanistan requires more than just technical expertise; it demands robust economic frameworks, private sector investment, and cross-sector collaboration. To achieve these multidimensional goals, we are proud to maintain a strong and active partnership with the Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC). Together, we strive to empower professionals and stimulate economic growth to benefit the people of Afghanistan.

A Shared History and Interconnected Leadership

The relationship between our Society and the AACC is deeply rooted in a shared history and overlapping leadership. Mr. Atiq Panjshiri, a founding member and past President of SAE, was highly instrumental in the establishment of the AACC in 2002. He served as the AACC’s Founding President and CEO from its inception until 2008, helping to lay the groundwork for US-Afghanistan business relations.

This interconnectedness extends across our broader membership. Prominent SAE leaders, such as our past Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Ms. Sohaila Sanie Shekib, have maintained professional affiliations with the AACC. Furthermore, Mr. Jeffrey Grieco, the current President and CEO of the AACC, is also an esteemed member of our Society, bridging the gap between the engineering and business communities.

Formalizing Our Collaboration: The 2021 Memorandum of Understanding

To solidify our shared objectives and coordinate our resources, SAE and AACC officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on April 13, 2021. The agreement was carefully prepared by our SAE/Afghan Government Agencies Liaison Subcommittee, reviewed by AACC, and unanimously approved by the SAE Board of Directors.

This MOU formalized our joint venture to better serve the professional and business communities both within and outside of Afghanistan. Since its signing, this strategic collaboration has proven to be highly fruitful for our Society, enabling us to align our technical missions with the AACC’s economic and trade objectives.

Joint Initiatives and Strategic Engagements

Our partnership encompasses a wide array of high-level engagements, advocacy efforts, and community projects:

• Integrated Working Groups and Industry Advocacy: The AACC has graciously extended invitations for SAE members to participate in vital AACC working groups, including Agriculture and Agribusiness, Mining, Chabahar Port, Banking, and Women’s Empowerment. Through these groups, we combine our engineering insight with the AACC’s business acumen. Together, our organizations have also worked to facilitate discussions with key international entities—such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the USGS, and USAID—to explore project monitoring programs and mechanisms critical for infrastructural success in Afghanistan.
• Conferences and General Assemblies: AACC leadership frequently plays a prominent role in our major SAE events. AACC President Jeffrey Grieco was a featured guest speaker at our 2021 General Assembly Meeting, providing a comprehensive briefing on the status of the Afghan economy, donor relations, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. He also served as the Keynote Speaker for our 2023 General Assembly, presenting critical humanitarian and economic updates.
• Amplifying SAE Projects: The AACC has been a vital partner in championing our technical and humanitarian initiatives. For example, the AACC published the promotional flyer for our Bamiyan International Student Design Competition in their eNewsletter, amplifying our reach to hundreds of Afghan and American businesses and entrepreneurs who could sponsor and support the project.
• High-Level Networking and Representation: The AACC has been instrumental in facilitating crucial diplomatic and economic discussions. In June 2022, the AACC organized a meeting in Washington, D.C., with Mr. Thomas West, the United States Special Envoy for Afghanistan, to which SAE’s leadership was invited to represent our engineering community. Additionally, when the AACC chaired the “Afghanistan Trade and Economic Relations in 2023” international conference in Kabul, they ensured our voice was heard by inviting our SAE representative, Mr. Walid Howaida, to speak on behalf of our organization.

Navigating Challenges and Supporting the Community

The true strength of our partnership was especially evident during the turbulent and unsettling events surrounding the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. During this period of unprecedented chaos, the AACC provided crucial, timely information regarding assistance programs and procedures to its members, the broader Afghan-American business network, and the SAE community, bringing a much-needed sense of calm and focus.

In recognition of these relentless efforts, our SAE Corporation Committee issued a formal letter of gratitude to Mr. Grieco and the AACC on September 13, 2021, commending their exceptional leadership in promoting US-Afghanistan business and investment during a severe crisis.

Looking Forward

As we look to the future, we remain committed to our collaborative efforts with the Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce. By uniting the technical capabilities of the Society of Afghan Engineers with the commercial and trade expertise of the AACC, we continue to build a powerful alliance dedicated to the long-term prosperity, development, and stability of Afghanistan.