U.S. businesses pledge to keep investing in Thailand

American executives have pledged to press ahead with investments in Thailand despite the global pandemic and urged the Thai government to maintain stimulus measures and ease travel restrictions.

Executives from leading American corporations delivered that message last week during a meeting of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) and representatives of Thailand’s government led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Some executives were able to join with Thailand’s delegation and Michael DeSombre, Ambassador of the United States to Thailand, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok, while others participated by teleconference because of the pandemic.

DeSombre commended Thailand for its effective response to the Covid-19 pandemic and said the Kingdom has the potential to become a prime destination for investment from around the world if it continues creating an attractive climate for investment.

He added that the U.S. would like to cooperate with Thailand to distribute the new vaccines about to become available. The Ambassador hoped to see the Kingdom opening up wider to travelers to help support businesses and tourism.

Thailand already began admitting groups of visitors after closing its borders for several months to contain the coronavirus, which has proved to be an essential part of achieving the public health goal.

Prime Minister Prayut urged greater cooperation between Thailand, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the U.S. in three areas: Covid-19 vaccine development, economic recovery from the pandemic, and enhancement of skills for Thai workers to have the knowledge and training advanced businesses are seeking.

Alexander Feldman, USABC Chairman, said that Thailand’s Covid-19 response had made the Kingdom more attractive to investors.

Photo courtesy of  https://www.usasean.org/countries/thailand