Portugal–US Economic Development ·
Trade & Investment · Cultural Exchange

New The Chamber turns 30 years

Mr. Jose Galaz, Counselor at the Embassy of Portugal

Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, the Portugal-US Chamber of Commerce hosted a Cocktail Gala at the Metropolitan Club, on 28th May in New York. The ceremony was enhanced by the presence of Mr. Jose Galaz, Counselor at the Embassy of Portugal, as our honored guest and speaker for the evening, who spoke about the importance of the role of the chamber of commerce in the promotion of bilateral trade among the two countries.

This occasion brought together both older and newer members of the chambers in celebration, as well as representatives from other Portuguese institutions in the US such as Luis Moura from AICEP, Nuno Alves and Enca Mello from the Tourism of Portugal, and our European-American Chambers counterparts from Spain and Austria.

The Portugal US Chamber of Commerce mission is to foster to stimulate economic development, trade and investment, and cultural exchange between the United States and Portugal.

We would like to thank our Sponsors for donating the items for our silent auction: Admiral Wines, Avenida Palace Hotel, Astor Liquors, Evaton, Paula Santos Dias, and Richard Zenith.

New Internship Programs at the Chamber

Joana Barros (INOV Contacto intern) at the 9th EACC Spring Network Event (May 2009)

The year of 2009 marked an important milestone in the history of the Chamber with its 30th anniversary, and to meet the challenges for this year, the chamber has welcomed two interns from the INOV Contacto Program (AICEP) and PALCUS Internship Program, which enable companies to increment their staff with no associated costs.

Working in the Chamber since February 2009, Joana Barros has a four-year previous experience both in International and in non-profit Organizations in the Migration and Development and Cooperation fields. She has taken part in the 13th Edition of the INOV Contacto Program, which aim is to provide quality training to young graduates in an international context. This program enables companies to have an intern for a period of 6–10 months and due to its great success, it was considered a “Best Practice” both by national experts and by the Entreprise and Industry Directorate-General of the European Commission.

The Chamber is also pleased to welcome Dianne Marques, undergraduate student in International Relations from the College of New Rochelle who is joining the Chamber staff today for a summer internship through the PALCUS program. Since its inception in 1994, this program provides both undergraduate and graduate Portuguese-American students with the opportunity to obtain invaluable work and career experience in government, business, and international organizations throughout the United States and Portugal.

Portugal-US Chamber Celebrates 30 Years, 1979 – 2009

Join us to celebrate 30 years of fostering economic development, trade and investment, and cultural exchange between Portugal and the United States at a celebration with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music, and a silent auction. R.S.V.P. by May 22.

New Member Interview: Travelling to Lisbon

Travelling To Lisbon is a new member of the Portugal-US Chamber. The company offers accommodations in the form of self-catered apartments located in the historical center of Lisbon. They provide quality rentals for tourists and business travelers who want to combine the charm of being in the city center with the intimacy of being “at home.”

On the occasion of the Chamber’s 30th anniversary, Paulo d’Eça writes to his successor from Lisbon

Paulo d’Eça, October 2008

Dear Tom:

Sunday February 1, 2009 marks 30 years since I opened the Chamber from day one. No telephone; no desk light; no paper clips—just a desk, chair and old-fashioned typewiter. There was a lot of pressure and expectation from both sides of the Atlantic. The then president of the American Portuguese Society predicted we would fold in one year. Not only did we prosper, we extended a friendly hand to assist the ailing Society! We established a good name and moved forward to uncharted territory with success. Many were involved on both sides, but I must single out Domenick Scaglione (Chase Manhattan), José Osório (Portuguese Trade Commission), and Alfonso Finocchiaro (Chemical Bank & Banco Português do Atlântico in NY). Also yours truly! Much sweat, long hours, no time for vacations and low remuneration.

Please accept a warm abraço and long live the Portugal-U.S. Chamber of Commerce!

Paulo d’Eça
Lisboa, January 30, 2009