Oct. 5, 2010
For Immediate Release
For more information, Please contact Khalil E. Hachem at 313-945-1700, or at khalilh@americanarab.com
American Arab Chamber of Commerce Honors Dow Chemical and Basha Diagnostics with Economic Bridge Builder of the Year Award
![Charles Khalil]()
![Dr. Basha]()
Charles Khalil Dr. Yahya Basha
Dearborn, MI-- The American Arab Chamber of Commerce is presenting the Dow Chemical Company and Dr. Yahya Basha its prestigious Economic Bridge Builder of the Year Award at its 18th Annual Building Economic Bridges Banquet on Friday, Oct. 22, at the Henry hotel in Dearborn.
Charles Kalil, Executive Vice President, Law and Government Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Dow Chemical, will accept the award on behalf of Dow Chemical.
Dow, with 43,000 employees in 40 countries, highlights the company's commitment to diversity and building bridges throughout the world. With locations in Egypt, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, Dow has been forging partnerships in Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Jordan to bring new innovations in carpet and paint products and technologies, establishing Saudi Arabia as the largest producer of carpet latex after the United States and Belgium.
Dow Chemical, a Michigan-based company, was selected because of its innovation, versatility and its investment in several Middle Eastern countries said American Arab Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Fay Beydoun. "It's a true example of building international bridges in what has become a very global economy," she said.
Dr. Yahya Basha, president and founder of Basha Diagnostics, was selected because of his leadership, community involvement and his successful medical business in Southeast Michigan said American Arab Chamber of Commerce Chairman Ahmad Chebbani.
"Dr. Basha is an outstanding businessman and citizen," Chebbani said. "We're delighted to present him with the award."
Dr. Basha combines the care and compassion of a physician with the innovative thinking of a businessman. He began his radiology practice in 1980 in Royal Oak and has expanded it to serve three of the largest counties in Michigan today, with five centers in Dearborn, Royal Oak and Sterling Heights, offering the latest technology in diagnostic imaging and highly trained staff.
His achievements in the medical field have attracted national attention. In 1999, former Gov. John Engler appointed Dr. Basha to the Michigan Civil Rights Commission. In 2002, he was appointed to the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA) for the U.S. Department of Education, serving for three years. In 2006, the U.S. State Department appointed Dr. Basha a "Civilian Ambassador" traveling to the Nether lands, Germany and Denmark, as par t of former Under-Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affair s Karen Hughes' efforts to improve the U.S. image abroad.
Currently, he is an authority on civil liberties and the Arab Muslim political perspective and has been
interviewed by local and international media. He also serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations.
The American Arab Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1992, is one of the nation's largest Arab-American business organizations and works to build economic bridges locally and internationally. It has continuously evolved to serve the needs of the American-Arab business community and the business community at large.
The Annual Building Economic Bridges Banquet is one of the largest networking events in Southeast Michigan, attracting a diverse number of businesses and entrepreneurs. The event includes business exhibits, advertisement opportunities and recognition.
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For more information on sponsorship opportunities and tickets, please call the chamber at 313-945-1700, or e-mail at contactus@americanarab.com