U.S. Companies Engage Thai Government, Affirm Commercial Relationship

(Bangkok) – The US-ASEAN Business Council kicked off its annual business mission to Thailand today, with 26 leading U.S. companies arriving in Bangkok to build on longstanding commercial ties between the two countries.

The two-day mission is focused on supporting the government of Thailand’s efforts to implement key economic reforms, in order to help promote Thailand as a destination for high-value investment and trade.  The delegation will be received by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitakon on Friday, and meet with the Ministers of Commerce, Energy, Finance, Foreign Affairs, ICT, Industry, and other Senior Officials.  The mission is co-led by Brad Middleton, Managing Director of Chevron Asia South, Alexander Feldman, President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council, and Ambassador Michael Michalak, Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of the US-ASEAN Business Council.

“The US-ASEAN Business Council and our members have a vested stake in the success of Thailand and its people.  The U.S.-Thailand relationship has flourished for 183 years, and will continue into the future based on the depth of friendship between our peoples and the strength of our commercial ties,” said Alexander Feldman.  “We have seen this government enact encouraging reforms that will create a stronger business environment for both domestic and international companies, and the purpose of our visit is to offer the U.S. business community’s support for continued economic development and improvement of the investment environment across all sectors.”

Discussions between the delegation and the government will also focus on how the newly-formed ASEAN Economic Community can support regional integration, and how U.S. companies can contribute to capacity building efforts, including human resource development, CSR, and SME training.

“U.S. businesses in Thailand are dedicated to strengthening and improving the communities where we work, and we are committed to investing in Thailand’s greatest resource—its people.” said Brad Middleton of Chevron.  “Through this mission, the US business community also supports Thailand’s efforts to position itself as an investment gateway to ASEAN.”

“U.S. companies are dedicated to supporting Thailand’s capacity building efforts,” said Ambassador Michael Michalak.  “Through CSR, human resource development, and support for SMEs, including the US-ASEAN Business Alliance for Competitive SMEs, a joint project of the Council and its members and USAID, U.S. companies are committed to creating more opportunities for the people of Thailand.”

Companies participating in the delegation include AIG, Apple, Cargill, Caterpillar, Chevron, Cigna, Coca-Cola, ConocoPhillips, eBay, FedEx, Ford, General Electric, GlaxoSmithKline, Guardian, Harley-Davidson, Honeywell, Mead Johnson Nutrition, Medtronic, Microsoft, PayPal, PepsiCo, Philip Morris, Time Warner, Uber, UPS, and Visa.

 

 

 

 

 

Source : USABC Press Release

Photo credit : Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C