By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

THE Guam Chamber of Commerce has been chosen to host the next annual conference of the Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce, or APCAC.
During the APCAC Board of Directors meeting held over the weekend at the New World Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, member organizations voted in favor of Guam as the host venue for the 2008 conference.
According to the Chamber, key factors considered by the members were Guam’s strategic importance to national security and the unique opportunity members would have to see first hand the work of the U.S. government in protecting the economic interests in the region.
APCAC leaders also felt Guam would be attractive to high-level officials in the U.S. Department of Commerce, the State Department, as well as the Department of Defense.
Chamber board chairman Stephen C. Ruder said the Chamber’s participation in APCAC provides the group’s membership with a stronger voice in Washington.
“The opportunities for APCAC members seem boundless and allowing Guam to host the 2008 annual meeting will afford members even more opportunity and a first hand look at America in Asia,” Ruder said.
The Guam Chamber of Commerce joined APCAC back in 1972 to assist its membership in developing regional business opportunities and to promote Guam’s advantages as an investment destination.
“Securing Guam as the host venue for the 2008 annual meeting is significant and Guam stands to benefit greatly. This is yet another example of the private sector working diligently to drive Guam’s economy forward. APCAC comprises the region’s top business leaders and providing them a first hand look at opportunities on Guam will continue to keep Guam in the spotlight,” Ruder added.
APCAC consists of 25- member American Chambers of Commerce, which represents the growing interests of 10,000 businesses and 50,000 executives in 19 countries and economies of the Asia-Pacific region.
The APCAC membership manages trade volumes in excess of US$400 billion and direct investments of over US$200 billion. APCAC’s mission is to improve the competitiveness of U.S. businesses in the Asia-Pacific Region.