Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Bahrain Business Council recently named Amazon Web Services (AWS) Worldwide Public Sector Vice President Max Peterson and Head of Middle East and Africa Zubin Chagpar as the Council’s new Co-Chairs. Peterson and Chagpar join Mr. Khalid Al Zayani, Honorary Chairman of Alzayani Investments Group of Companies, and Jonathan Witmer, CEO of WestPoint Home, on the council’s board.
“Bahrain is a strategic business hub in the Gulf for U.S. companies. Amazon Web Services launched the first AWS Middle East Region in Bahrain last year, opening the door for new bilateral and regional synergies. The U.S. Chamber’s U.S.-Bahrain Business Council is honored to welcome Amazon Web Services as Co-Chair of the Council and we look forward to working together to power new business developments between our two countries,” said Khush Choksy, Senior Vice President for Middle East and Turkey Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Max Peterson, Worldwide Public Sector Vice President, Amazon Web Services (AWS), said: “We are pleased to represent AWS and serve as Co-Chairs of the U.S.-Bahrain Business Council and we look forward to supporting the Council and its members. With the launch of the AWS Middle East Region in Bahrain last year, we remain committed support the country’s efforts to realize the full potential of cloud technology in driving innovation and enabling economic transformation.”
The Council announced AWS’s new leadership role during a May 18th virtual meeting with Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and National Economy His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.
During the meeting, the Minister of Finance and National Economy Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa praised AWS’ technical support during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Thanks to all colleagues at Amazon Web Services who played an important role in digitizing government services which enabled the Kingdom of Bahrain to have a rapid and robust response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” noted the Minister.
Established in 2006, the U.S.-Bahrain Business Council is the premier business advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening the economic and commercial relationship between the U.S. and Bahrain. The Council is comprised of American and Bahraini companies, whose goal is to expand two-way trade and strengthen economic cooperation.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. Its International Affairs division includes more than 80 regional and policy experts and 25 country- and region-specific business councils and initiatives. The U.S. Chamber also works closely with 117 American Chambers of Commerce abroad.
