On 28 June 2018, Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs, hosted an afternoon tea reception for the delegation from the U.S. - ASEAN Business Council (USABC) on the occasion of their visit to Thailand at Vithes Samosorn, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Present at the meeting were also high-level executives of the Ministry.

          The Deputy Permanent Secretary welcomed the delegation, underscoring that this visit reflected the close partnership between Thailand and the U.S. private sector. Without the support from the private sector both domestic and foreign, the quick turnaround of the Thai economy would not have been possible. The Prime Minister’s visit to the U.S. last year marked a high point in Thailand’s bilateral relations with the United States. During that visit, the USABC and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC) hosted a reception for the Prime Minister and his delegation. Thailand values its trade and investment relations with the U.S. It is hoped that bilateral trade and investment between Thailand and the U.S. will continue to expand in the coming years given the opportunities available under Thailand 4.0 and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) policies. In recent years, Thai companies have also been expanding their investments overseas, especially in the U.S. More than 20 Thai companies have invested over six billion dollars, creating over 68,000 jobs in over ten states. While Thailand enjoys a trade surplus with the U.S., Thailand has worked over the years to ensure an equitable and mutually rewarding partnership. 

          Mr. Alexander Feldman, President and CEO of USABC, expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and thanked the Ministry for continuously facilitating meetings between American businesses and Thai agencies. He also stated that the USABC wishes to expand investment in Thailand and ASEAN and deepen its business partnership with Thailand, especially in areas promoted by the government under the Thailand 4.0 policy, the Eastern Economic Corridor, the digital economy policy, and the new and existing S-Curve industries. Mr. Feldman expressed support for Thailand’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2019. He also offered his moral support to the ongoing search and rescue operation of teenagers and their football coach in Chiang Rai Province.  

          The USABC comprises leading American companies, such as Chevron, Citi Bank, General Electric International Operations Company Inc. (GE), Apple, Microsoft, E-Bay, AIG, Ford Motors, Guardian Industry, and Harley Davison. This year’s delegation comprised of 85 representatives from 39 USABC member companies that have invested in Thailand and ASEAN countries. These companies are grouped around seven main clusters, namely energy and infrastructure, health and life sciences, food and agriculture, manufacturing and customs, financial services and tourism. The Council has continuously played an important role in strengthening ties, as well as enhancing trade and investment partnership between Thailand and the U.S. During this year’s visit between 27 – 28 June 2018, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Thailand and held discussions with Ministers of relevant agencies.