US-Asean Business Council Completes Largest Ever Business Mission To Bangkok

KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 (Bernama) -- The US-Asean Business Council concluded its largest ever business mission to Thailand’s capital Bangkok this week where discussions were held on investment opportunities with key government officials of the country. The delegation, comprising senior business executives from 34 leading US companies, also held its first group meeting with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the council said in a statement. According to the council, Thailand experienced the strongest growth in trade with the US among the original five members of Asean (Association of South East Asian Nations), the others being Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. The association, set up in August 1967, now comprises 10 nations after Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia joined. "US-Thailand bilateral trade rose nearly 13 per cent in 2011, as the trend that has seen trade rise 82 per cent since 2002 continued," the council said. During the mission, companies discussed key areas which could help continue the growth of US investment in Thailand, including increased infrastructure spending and streamlined financial services investment, the council added. Council president Alexander Feldman said the firms "are building and growing their presence in Thailand for the long haul." "We are proud to help support Thailand's rebuilding after last year's flooding and the fact that we are bringing the largest council delegation ever this year shows the depth of the council companies’ commitment to Thailand," he said. The US-Asean Business Council leads major business missions to key economies, and convenes multiple meetings with Asean countries, heads of state and ministers. It is the only US organisation to be given the privilege to raise member company concerns in consultations with the Asean finance and economic ministers. -- BERNAMA