The FINANCIAL — Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on December 1 launched a four day economic mission to Europe to represent the American business community at the G-8 Business Summit, meet with top officials from the EU Commission, and receive a medal of honor from Belgian Crown Prince Philippe.
“These are challenging economic times on both sides of the Atlantic, meaning it is more important than ever to build and maintain relationships with our allies in the business community,” Donohue said before departing for Brussels today. “I’m heading to Europe to underscore the importance of business leaders working together to restore investor and consumer confidence in order to jumpstart the global economy.”
Donohue will represent the American business community at the G-8 Business Summit in Paris on December 3-4. The goal of the meeting is to develop joint recommendations for dealing with the global economic crisis and financial regulatory reform. These recommendations will be submitted to the G-8 heads of government for their ongoing consideration and in preparation for the next G-20 meeting in April 2009.
While in Paris, Donohue will also address the American Chamber of Commerce in France – which represents thousands of American companies doing business in the country – and celebrate the 50th anniversary of BusinessEurope, a key partner of the U.S. Chamber. He is also scheduled to meet with senior government and business leaders, including President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Before arriving in France, Donohue will stop in Brussels where Belgian Crown Prince Philippe will present him the Commandeur de l’Ordre de la Couronne medal, in recognition of his work to expand commercial and friendship ties between the U.S. and Belgium.
While in Belgium, Donohue will also meet with EU Commissioner Vice-President Gunter Verheugen to discuss the ongoing U.S.-EU commercial relationship and the agenda for the upcoming meetings of the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC).
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