 |
||
| Tami Overby, President & CEO of the AMCHAM Korea, is making a reply to the questions from the press group at her farewell press conference on June 8, 2009. | ||
At her farewell press conference, Ms. Overby said Monday, "I am leaving Korea with extensive knowledge of the region, people, culture and politics. I will maintain regular contact with Korea and ensure that the U.S.-Korea relations and U.S. business in Korea continues to thrive."
"Having been head of one of the most successful American Chambers in Asia is very surreal and yet one of the proudest milestones of my long career," she added.
Ms. Overby expressed her regret about her leaving Korea in that the way Koreans having responded to each challenges and obstacles has helped her to become the person she is today by having witnessed to many changes both negative and positive during her time in Korea.
"As for the AMCHAM Korea, it was here even before I arrived in Korea and is a strong organization. I am fully confident in the ability of my staff and the strong support of our members to keep it as efficient and successful as it has been for the past 50 years," she said.
Ms. Overby joined the AMCHAM Korea in 1995 and since then she has devoted her efforts to promote and strengthen the economic ties between Korean and the U.S. She has enthusiastically led the effort with US and Korean companies to build relationships and understanding of commercial opportunities in Korea.
Through Ms. Overby's initiative, AMCHAM Korea became the first organization to advocate Korea’s entry into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). She generated a great deal of attention from both the U.S. and Korean community and resulted in her testifying before the U.S. Congressional Immigration Sub-Committee in support of Korea’s entry into the U.S. VWP. Due to her endless efforts, Korea finally joined the U.S. VWP in 2008.
Ms. Overby also played a very important role in the successful negotiation of the comprehensive and balanced free trade agreement that is pending ratification in both countries. Since the signing of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), she has been working hard to ensure fast ratification of the deal in both countries and even testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee on March 2007, in support of the agreement.
Ms. Overby will return to the U.S. on the 11th and begin her new position in Washington D.C. as the head of the Asia team for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as of July 1st, 2009.
The AMCHAM Korea was founded in 1953, with a broad mandate to encourage the development of investment and trade between Korea and the United States. It is the largest foreign chamber in Korea with around 2300 members and over 1100 companies with diverse interests and substantial participation in the Korean economy.
By Jung, Eunsun
정은선 기자 stop1020@ajnews.co.kr
아주경제=ajnews.co.kr 무단전재 배포금지
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.