About AmCham

The year was 1797 and the place was the sixth largest city in the United States - Salem, Massachusetts. On May 22nd of that year, the first American ship returned from a nearly non-stop voyage from Manila with the first cargo of Philippine products. The vessel was the brig "Astrea" on her maiden voyage. She had sailed from Salem to Manila in 164 days and then returned in 163 days with a cargo of sugar, pepper and indigo. Now, more than 200 years later, we see the continuing growth of trade between the two countries.

AmCham came to life in 1902 as the Manila Coffee Round Table and later as Manila Merchants Association. Incorporated in 1920, it has since then recognized and reconfirmed the commitment of American business to the development and welfare of the Philippines and the Filipino people.

This is a commitment of long standing, as its mission statement declares:

"The Chamber exists to serve the interests of U.S. businesses through the participation of members in promoting their long-term objectives, while contributing to the civic and economic development of the Philippines."

What We Do

The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. is a private, independent and non-profit association incorporated under Philippines laws in July 1920. It is affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce of the U.S.A. (COCUSA) and the Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers (APCAC)

It maintains close liaison with other foreign chambers in Manila and Philippine business groups: the Employers Confederation of the Philipppines (ECOP), Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI), Philippine Association of Multinational Regional Headquarters (PAMURI), Makati Business Club (MBC), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX), and other trade and business organizations.

It also networks in the U.S. with the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce in New York, US-RP Business Committee, Asia Society, and the US-ASEAN Council.

AmCham works closely with the American Embassy in Manila, particularly with the Foreign Commercial Service, the Economic Section, the Agricultural Office, USAID, and the Consular Section.

How We Do It

In keeping with its mission, AmCham regularly consults with Philippine government officials, agencies and bureaus, as well as business, community and civic leaders. For this purpose it maintains standing COMMITTEES, each dealing with relevant issues affecting Philippine business and industries.

AmCham also maintains the American Desk at the Board of Investments (BOI), Department of Trade & Industry, which started operation in 1992 as a concrete, visible commitment to actively assist U.S. companies and individuals doing business or desiring to do business in the Philippines.