International Focus Magazine Premiere Edition | Page 43

Through its series of worldclass programming, the Bilateral
Chamber provides insight into
the economic and social climate
in both regions and access to the
solid relationships that are essential for producing positive outcomes for all stakeholders.
Our guest today is the founder
and CEO of the chamber, Tunisian-born Aida Araissi.
Sonia: Aida, how did you get
started in this venture?

able to fuse my knowledge of the
Middle East with the business of
energy. I soon found myself securing editorial content from the
MENA region’s ministers of energy and trade and other thought
leaders from that sector. After a
period of growth, I saw an opportunity to bring together the
two largest energy companies in
the world under the banner of a
trade association which led to the
founding of the chamber as we
know it today. Once my plans for
Houston came together, I founded the bilateral chamber in 1997.

tion and forge relationships with
decision makers at the highest level
relevant to their business needs.
BUSACC is a private organization — emphasis please on private
as we are not funded by any government — we are beholden only
to our network of members and
their best interests.
Sonia: I understand there is a
vetting process and team approach
driving the reason someone joins.

Aida: We interview every perAida: My family is known for
spective member to first underjournalism in the news world of Sonia: Which brings us right to
stand their business and more
Tunisia, and I initially wanted it. Why the bilateral chamber and importantly to understand what
to pursue a career as a journal- what is significance of how you’ve
their expectations are. Managing
ist which was my major at the organized it? Why would someone expectations and then delivering
University of Houston with an join the chamber?
is the single most important value
emphasis on political science.
we bring to our network. It’s the
Among a number of notable jobs Aida: In short, we are a network reason why we have loyal memafter graduation was with World of business people organized so our bers and year over year growth in
Energy Magazine where I was members can get timely informa- the network.
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