AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN INDIA ( AMCHAM – India )

The American Chamber of Commerce in India (AMCHAM - India) is an association of American business organisations operating in India. AMCHAM - India is accredited to the Chamber of Commerce of USA, Washington DC, U.S.A. (COCUSA). It is also a full member of the Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC).

Established in 1992, AMCHAM has over 550 members. Companies of US origin make up about 95 percent of membership, the remaining being individual or honorary members.

The incumbent U.S. Ambassador to India is the Chief Patron of AMCHAM. AMCHAM enjoys a very close relationship with the US Embassy officials and receives tremendous support in fulfilling its objectives.

AMCHAM’s principle objective is to:

a) Promote activities that would encourage and stimulate investment by US companies in India

b) To support ongoing business operations of its members.

c) Encourage bilateral trade between India and USA.

d) AMCHAM fulfills these objectives in a variety of ways, such as:

Members of AMCHAM are typically American companies operating in India and Indian / US nationals living in India, who could be of assistance in promoting the objectives of AMCHAM.

There are four categories of membership:

This membership is offered to American companies operating in India:

1. Either as a 100% subsidiary of a U.S. Company

2. Or as a Branch Office (with Reserve Bank of India approval)

3. Or as a Liaison Office (with Reserve Bank of India approval)

4. Or as a majority equity holder in a joint venture

5. Or as an equal partner in a joint venture but the management control being with the U.S. Company.

6. Or as a minority equity holder where an investment cap on that particular sector is imposed by the Government of India and the US company has invested to the maximum extent permissible under the cap. Proof of management control being with the US company is required to be submitted by the company and approved by the Executive Board.

Corporate members can have additional membership from the same organization either at the same Chapter or at any other Chapter of AMCHAM. These members do not have any voting rights at any AMCHAM meetings.

This is offered by invitation by AMCHAM’s National Executive Board at its sole discretion to Indian / US Nationals living in India who, in the opinions of the Executive Board, would be of assistance in promoting the objectives of AMCHAM.

Honorary Members are individuals and/or entities so appointed solely by invitation by AMCHAM’s National Executive Board at its sole discretion. These members do not pay membership subscription and do not vote at AMCHAM meetings.

AMCHAM has its main base of operations at Delhi and has four Regional Chapters at Bangalore in Karnataka, Chennai ( Madras ) in Tamil Nadu, Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh and Mumbai ( Bombay ) in Maharashtra.

If you are interested in becoming a member of AMCHAM, please fill in the Application Form and send it to the Executive Director of AMCHAM for processing it through the membership committee which examines all membership applications and decides on admission of all new members. The annual ( calender year ) membership subscription is as follows :

Corporate Member            Rs. 35,000.00

Individual Member             Rs. 25,000.00

Additional Member            Rs. 25,000.00

Members joining after June 30 in any year, pay only half the amount for that year.

Networking and Business Functions

• Participation in AMCHAM supported trade fairs & Exhibitions in the country and overseas.

Regional Linkage

Business links with the neighbouring countries through co-operation with other bilateral chambers and participation in business delegations to these countries.

Established in 1992 and financed by annual membership fees, the Chamber has about 300 members. Companies of US origin make up about 95 per cent of membership, the remaining being individual or honorary members.

The Chamber enjoys a very close relationship with the US Embassy officials and receives tremendous support in fulfilling its objectives.

AMCHAM is linked with other American Chambers worldwide through its relationship with the US Chamber of Commerce and US-India Business Council in Washington, D.C.

The Chamber's activities are undertaken through several Sectoral Committees, in addition to a separate Program Committee. Through its contacts with the United States Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C, American Chamber of Commerce in other countries, US-India Business Council in Washington D.C., India - US Joint Business Council in New Delhi, US associated bilateral chambers in India and neighboring countries, the Chamber can provide its members a useful source of information on issues important to members. A major source of information is the Chamber's system of Sectoral Committees.

The Chamber currently operates following ten Sectoral Committees :

1. Bio and Pharma

2. Defence Equipment

3. Education & HR (a merger of Education & HR Forum)

4. Finance, Banking, Insurance and Capital Markets Committee

5. Food Processing and Beverages Committee

6. ICT (IT, BPO, Tel & Comm) 7. IPR

8. Medical Equipment

9. Oil & Gas

10. Tax & Tariff

The purpose of these Sectoral Committees is to:

• Provide members with information about government policies important to their business interests.
  
  
• Provide forums, meetings and seminars in which these issues are discussed.
  
  
• Submit Chamber's memoranda to the concerned authorities and follow up on relevant issues affecting members' business.
  
  
• Organise meetings to enable the members do networking and build up a wide range of business and official contacts.
  
  

In addition to these Sectoral Committees the Chamber has three other active Committees. These are Programmes Committee, Membership Committee and Citizenship Objective Committee.

Programs Committee decides various general programs to be undertaken by the Chamber including the selection of speakers and Chief Guests for the monthly meetings.