| |
About THE CHAMBER
The Russian American Chamber of Commerce in the USA (THE CHAMBER) provides Information Services for its members on business opportunities and developments in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Baltic States. The Chamber is the only business organization in the USA that provides market information, practical advice, leads, and referrals to U.S. and Eurasian companies of all sizes to facilitate U.S. exports and other forms of business development providing, cooperating with the Russian Government, Russian Regional Administrations, U.S. Consulates in Russia, American and Russian Chambers of Commerce, governmental officials and corporate leaders from the CIS countries, the Caucasus and Central Asia. The Chamber works with U.S. companies interested in opportunities in the region and supports business and market development in Eurasia by helping American firms and the local business support infrastructure, including government and associations, to understand, form partnerships, and successfully collaborate with business counterparts from Russia and the CIS countries.
The 15 Eurasian countries covered by the Chamber are: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
For more information, please contact the Russian American Chamber at +1-404.667.9319 or visit www.russianamericanchamber.com.
The Chamber has facilitated more than $500 million worth of U.S. exports and U.S.-Eurasian business collaboration.
Learn More About THE CHAMBER
• Who we are
• How we can help your company
• Employment at the Chamber
• Internships at the Chamber
• Contact THE CHAMBER
• F.A.Q.
* The 15 Eurasian countries covered by the Chamber are: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
Background
The Russian American Chamber of Commerce in the USA was established in May, 2006 under the direction of the International Leadership Council (ILC), an organization comprised of the leaders of international business organizations, in order to promote market access for U.S. companies in the Russian Federation and CIS countries.
The Chamber, headquartered in Atlanta, USA, is the only integrated market information center for U.S. companies pursuing business development in the CIS countries- some of the world's most promising newly emerging market economies. A critical feature of the Chamber is its ability to bring buyers and sellers together to facilitate successful transactions, which has resulted in more than $500 million worth of U.S. exports and overseas business activities since 2006.
Current Operations
At the core of the Chamber's operations is its staff of 15 trade specialists based in Atlanta, GA and its network of overseas network representatives and partners. The Chamber has representatives in 14 countries and 20 cities.
The Chamber constantly gathers new market information on the CIS countries through other US and Russian government offices, as well as through NGOs, the private sector, and reliable sources in the CIS countries.
Intergrated Market Information Center (IMIC)
THE CHAMBER's IMIC keeps US companies informed about commercial developments in the Eurasia, operating more like a market research group than a news organization. Information that U.S. companies regularly receive from IMIC may include:
- Current Market Assessments and Data
- Business Leads, Buyers, Investor and Partner leads
- Updates on Commercial Laws and Regulations
- Guidance on sources of Finance for Eurasia trade and investment
- Transportation, Banking, Customs, and other practical business issues
- Notice of upcoming conferences and trade promotion events
- New resources, including websites and business support organizations
- Information on Russian Federation and U.S. Government, multilateral, and other programs supporting U.S commercial relations with this part of the world
THE CHAMBER - Department of Marketing Services
THE CHAMBER' U.S.-based staff of international trade specialists are available to answer inquiries from U.S. companies about business opportunities and development in the Eurasia. THE CHAMBER seeks to answer each question in-house, or identify concrete contacts and resources, without referring companies elsewhere on an endless chase for information. Trade specialists are available by phone, email, and appointment to provide information, answer questions, and assist U.S. companies exploring business prospects in Eurasia markets. THE CHAMBER respects the confidentiality of its clients' business activities.
Are you interested in a list of potential leads, business partners, buyers, manufactures and distributors but do not have the necessary contact information to achieve this?
The Chamber possesses a proprietary computerized business databank of Russian companies and individuals. Our information research service provides you with the detailed contact profiles of Russian companies and executives in which you are interested in. We will compile a list of target companies and include all appropriate contact information that is needed for your company.
THE CHAMBER - Department of Public Relations(PR) and Corporate Communications
The Department of PR and Corporate Communications develops internal and external relations strategies that effectively communicate our values and vision to our customers, employees and shareholders. Corporate communications encompasses public relations, internal communications, advertising and promotions, creative services and corporate contributions. The Department researches, writes, plans, edits, designs, and implements everything from strategic communications plans, to employee newsletters and gala dinners for 300. The department creates communications strategies that influence employee attitudes, shift stockholders' opinions and tell an organization's story to the media.
THE CHAMBER - U.S. Business Presence for Russian companies / Incubator type International Center for Business Development (ICBD)
Download presentation (in English) (in Russian). This service helps Russian Businesses to establish a presence in the United States in order to deal with American customers at low risk and without the overhead costs involved in establishing their own office with staff. IBDC offers them an American business address including telephone number, fax number and mailbox. Qualified staff of the IBDC answers the inquiries and forward them immediately to the business in Russia.
THE CHAMBER - Department Consulting Services
Consistent with the Chamber's overall mission to be a leader in promoting mutually beneficial relations among business, public, cultural, and civil society organizations in the United States, Russia, and other countries of the former Eastern bloc, the Department focuses on assisting companies and organizations in developing effective business strategies based on establishing and sustaining viable international partnerships. Through market research and case analysis techniques, the Department aims to provide valuable and reliable information about business opportunities and potential partners, relevant government regulations, cultural norms and practices, and to advise on a broad range of issues, from establishing initial contacts to managing long-term business risk.
E-mail a Eurasia business question to THE CHAMBER
Call THE CHAMBER with a question at +1.404.667.9319
Email Update Service
THE CHAMBER distributes by email to interested U.S. companies the most time-sensitive trade leads and market updates. U.S. companies can register to receive information on more than 40 Eurasia industry sectors or on any Eurasia country and several Russian regions.
 |
Subscribe to receive THE RACC NewsLetter
|
Business Leads and Opportunities
THE CHAMBER has developed two lead-generation programs to help U.S. companies identify contacts and resources for doing business in the Eurasia:
THE CHAMBER’s on-line system for business offers and enquiries identifies Eurasia enterprises seeking U.S. partners to collaborate on specific business projects.
THE CHAMBER’s trade team provides timely leads on Eurasia export sales opportunities for U.S. companies.
SEARCH THE CHAMBER’s Partners and Export leads
POST YOUR Commercial Proposals
Subscribe to receive THE CHAMBER leads
THE CHAMBER’s Newsletter
RACC NewsLetter is the monthly newsletter informing the U.S. business community about THE CHAMBER’s main events and developments in the USA and Eurasia. Each issue highlights key events, news, market developments, promising regions for trade and investment, U.S. trade promotion programs, activities and events, and "tricks of the trade"-recommendations for avoiding pitfalls and problems.
Review RACC NewsLetter
Subscribe to Receive RACC NewsLetter
THE CHAMBER’s Online Web Page
THE CHAMBER posts market information on the Eurasia to its home page on the Internet (www.russianamericanchamber.com). THE CHAMBER Online is updated daily to provide the latest reports by THE CHAMBER and other sources. THE CHAMBER Online also contains links to hundreds of useful home pages in the United States and Eurasia.
Go to THE CHAMBER Online Home
THE CHAMBER Services for Eurasian Companies
THE CHAMBER Russian-language web site – www.russianamericanchamber.com/ru/home.htm
THE CHAMBER has developed a Russian-language web site to assist Eurasian companies seeking business development through cooperation with U.S. firms. The CHAMBER Russian-language page provides unique content oriented toward the needs and interests of Eurasia firms (is not a mirror of the English-language site). The CHAMBER Russian-language page includes information about:
- Participating in lead generation programs
- Other U.S. government resources for business development and doing business with the United States
- Projects and resources
- Resources for doing business with the United States (Information about U.S. states, Directories of U.S. companies, corporate ethics, business - etiquette, etc.)
- Trade events
- Other valuable information
About THE CHAMBER and THE CHAMBER On-Line
Q. How much will it cost me to use THE CHAMBER information and services?
Q. Does THE CHAMBER provide market information about CIS, NIS, Eastern Europe or the Baltics, or about other emerging market economies countries?
Q. Can THE CHAMBER help me to inform Russian and CIS countries companies about my company?
Q. How do I change my contact information on the membership directory after I joined THE CHAMBER?
Q. When I use THE CHAMBER website, the page does not load properly, forms do not upload, fonts appear to be incorrect. Is there something wrong with your website?
General Questions about Doing Business in Russia and the CIS countries
Q. How do I obtain a list of US or Russian companies doing business in USA/Russia/CIS?
Exporting to Russia and the CIS countries
Q. How can I obtain Russian/CIS import duties on products I am sending to Russia?
Importing from Russia and the CIS countries
Q. How can I find information about importing Russian/CIS products into the US?
About THE CHAMBER
Q. How much will it cost me to use THE CHAMBER’s information and services?
A. THE CHAMBER has fixed internal rates for its professional services. THE CHAMBER is a membership-based organization and some level of membership is usually required in order to use its discounted members’ rate services. THE CHAMBER may provide basic service at no charge to a member.
Q. Does THE CHAMBER provide market information about Eurasia, CIS, NIS, Eastern Europe or the Baltics and about other emerging market economies countries?
A. No, THE CHAMBER covers the 15 countries that make up the CIS and the Baltics: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Trade Information Center (TIC) provides market information about countries of the world not covered by THE CHAMBER. The TIC also provides general export information and guidance.
Q. Can THE CHAMBER help me to inform Russian and CIS companies about my company?
A. Yes. THE CHAMBER has created Commercial Proposals Link
in order to satisfy such interests by U.S. companies, as well as interest among Eurasian firms for more information on potential U.S. partners. The Link provides brief profiles, in English or Russian, about U.S. and Russian firms and their interests and abilities in Eurasia. It is a free on-line service provided by THE CHAMBER.
B. Yes. In addition to the free on-line service, THE CHAMBER maintains a proprietary computerized database of Russian and CIS countries companies and offers a targeted informational service under a legally binding agreement with your company. THE CHAMBER is in position to notify thousands of Russian companies directly about your company. The current rates for this type of informational support will be disclosed upon receipt of the request for proposal (RFP) outlining your industry and exact business needs. Please note it is a prepaid service provided by THE CHAMBER’s Department of Marketing and Consulting Services. Please email your RFP to info@russianamericanchamber.com
Q. How do I change my contact information on the membership directory after I joined THE CHAMBER?
Please email your request to info@russianamericanchamber.com from your official email account registered with THE CHAMBER. Please be sure to include your name and company’s name.
Q. When I use THE CHAMBER’s website, the page does not load properly, forms do not upload, and fonts appear to be incorrect. Is there something wrong with your website?
A. Although THE CHAMBER does not endorse any particular browser, clients report better results with Microsoft Internet Explorer. Please inform our Chief Informational Officer (CIO) Alex Brest about any problem at info@russianamericanchamber.com with the link to the problematic web page for troubleshooting.
General Questions about Doing Business in Russia and the CIS countries
Q. How do I obtain a list of US or Russian companies doing business in USA/Russia/CIS?
A. THE CHAMBER compiles and maintains a comprehensive list of U.S. and Russian companies doing business in Russia and Eurasia, but information is not available online. The list with the industry you are interested in is available for a nominal fee strictly to the members of THE CHAMBER. Please join THE CHAMBER and request the list in a specific industry you are interested in.
American Chamber of Commerce Membership List
The American Chamber of Commerce in Moscow (also known as AmCham) has several hundred members, representing a good cross-section of the US businesses in Russia. AmCham sells this membership list for a nominal fee + shipping. For more information, visit www.amcham.ru
Exporting to Russia and the CIS countries
Q. How can I obtain Russian/CIS import duties on products I am sending to Russia?
A. A convenient place to start is to determine the Harmonized System (HS) number assigned to your product. HS numbers are used by Customs authorities around the world to determine duties and taxes owed. These numbers are typically 6 to 10 digits long. The first 6 digits are standardized worldwide, while additional numbers are used by some governments to further distinguish products in certain categories. In the United States, HS numbers are also called Schedule B and HS Tariff Classification numbers. To find tariff information, the HS number up to the 6-digit level is required.
The U.S. Census Bureau's Foreign Trade Division website can be used to classify products in the Harmonized System. The address is http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/schedules/b/index.html. If you have trouble classifying your product and need assistance, call the Census Bureau at +1 301-457-1084.
Importing from Russia and the CIS countries
Q. How can I find information about importing Russian/CIS products into the US?
A. THE CHAMBER’s HQ in the United States and representative offices in Russia and CIS countries can provide fee-based assistance in identifying producers of certain goods. Please email your request to info@russianamericanchamber.com.
In the case of Russia, the US-based offices of the Russian Trade Representative may provide some assistance at no charge. Contact information for the Trade Representative nearest you (http://www.russianembassy.org/RUSTRADE/contact.htm). Some of the Russian Trade Rep offices prefer to receive inquiries by fax or email than over the phone.
For other CIS countries, the Embassy/official representative for that country may be able to provide some free information. Please contact the Embassy of the country you are interested in.
Information about importing products into the United States
Customs duties and related Information about importing products into the United States is available through US Customs, at www.customs.gov.
The Russian-American Chamber of Commerce in the USA
• Serves as a catalyst and facilitator for business energy focusing on solving international, national and regional problems and issues
• An independent, non-profit business organization representing Russian and American businesses across the USA
• An organization with more than 300 corporate members in the USA, Russia and the CIS countries
• Operated by a staff of 10 professionals and more than 100 volunteers
• Is not part of the city, county or state governments
• Our budget comes from membership dues and contributions, which means we are totally committed to our members
• Our Board of Directors and Board of Advisors represent the leadership of Russian and American businesses in the United States and the Russian Federation
The Russian-American Chamber of Commerce Focus
• Promotion of trade and cooperation between Russian-speaking and American Businesses
• Investments
• Serving our Members
Why is the Chamber’s HQ located in the Southern US?
The cosmopolitan city of Atlanta, Georgia represents the largest economic center of the Southern United States. With over 5 million residents and 120,000 companies, this region offers ideal conditions for both American and international companies.
The business environment of the region is characterized for its low residential and commercial real estate costs, educated workforce, economic incentives and Fortune 500 company headquarters. In addition to this, the Southern US enjoys an excellent transportation infrastructure comparable to the best highways that can be found in the world. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the busiest airport in the world and has the best flight connections that can be found in the USA. The Southeastern region also has two of the largest container ports in the US. One in Savannah, Georgia and the other in Charleston, South Carolina which are both located along the Atlantic Coast.
Metro Atlanta has a large presence of Russian-community-operated businesses, which includes professions such as lawyers, auditors, CPAs, doctors, financial institutions, insurance and real estate brokers. This is particularly important for small-to medium-size Russian companies and the CIS international corporations expanding toward the US. |
 |
