US-ASEAN Business Council

“Indonesia Innovation Series: Empowering Innovation, Creativity and Upskilling Talent for National Development“, August 26

The US-ASEAN Business Council held its inaugural Indonesia Innovation Series in conjunction with the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education’s National Technology Awakening Day (HAKTEKNAS) in the Auditorium of Bali Governor’s Office. During the event, US-ABC member companies showcase their innovative programs and initiatives aiming to improve national development. From left to right: Ms. Kim Yaeger (Director of Maritime Southeast Asia, US-ASEAN Business Council), Mr. Wilson Andrew (Head of Government Affairs, JUUL Labs), Mr. Eddy Satriya, MA. (Deputy Assistant for ICT and Utilities, Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs), Mr. I Wayan Suarjana, SE, MT (Deputy Governor for General Administration, Bali Province Secretariat), Dr. Ir. Jumain Appe (Director General of Innovation, Ministry of Research and Higher Education), Ambassador Michael W. Michalak (Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director, US-ASEAN Business Council), Ms. Nada Marsudi (Head of Bureau, Cooperation and Public Communication, Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education), Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Wyasa Putra (Deputy Rector, Udayana University), Ms. Tias Gatra Annisa (Regulatory Affairs, RRP Manager, Philip Morris International), Choo Pin Ang (Senior Director for Government and Corporate Affairs, Expedia Group), Nies Purwati (Director, Government Affairs, Southeast Asia, Qualcomm), Mr. Fritz Winata (Director of Market Development and Business Solutions, Visa), Mr. Landry Haryo Subianto (Chief Country Representative, US-ASEAN Business Council) and Mr. Angga Antagia (Country Representative, US-ASEAN Business Council).

3rd 2019 ASEAN-US Digital Policy Consultative Forum on "Public Private Partnership in Digital Data Governance: Incorporating Multi-Sectoral and Multi-Actor Considerations"

On August 23, the Council hosted the 3rd and final ASEAN-U.S. Digital Policy Consultative Forum (DPCF) of 2019, held alongside the 2nd ASEAN Telecommunications and Information Technology Senior Officials and ASEAN Telecommunications Regulators’ Council (TELSOM-ATRC) Leaders’ Retreat in Bangkok.

2019 Thailand Business Mission, August 13-16

His Excellency General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand and Alexander Feldman, US-ASEAN Business Council President and CEO at the 2019 Thailand Business Mission from August 13-16 in Bangkok. 46 member companies participated on the Mission which was the largest single Council Mission to any ASEAN country in the Council’s 35 year history.

"The Potential of Industry 4.0 for Malaysian SMEs" Workshop, July 22

Council members extended support to Malaysia's “Industry 4WRD” National Policy through a workshop designed to help empower Malaysian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. From left to right: Mr. John Patrick Antonysamy (Senior Director, Strategic Planning Division, Ministry of International Trade and Industry), Ms. Choo Wai Meng (Executive Director for Strategic Planning (Manufacturing), Malaysian Investment Development Authority), Dr. Mohd Shahrul Azmi bin Mohamad Yusoff (Director, Industrial Centre of Innovation in SMART Manufacturing, The Standard and Industrial Research Institue of Malaysia), Azrin Azlina Anuar (Director for Government Engagement Visa), Matt Baker (He aad of Small and Medium Enterprises Solution Visa), YB Datuk Darell Leiking (Minister of International Trade and Industry), Ambassador Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir (U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia), Amb. Michael W. Michalak (Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director US – ASEAN Business Council), Philip Glickman (Vice President Business Development Mastercard), Peter Rand (Sales Lead for SME Services in Asia Pacific Mastercard), Sunil Singh (Sales IT Domain Leader – Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa), Suffian Muhili (Government Relations Leader Malaysia P&G), Valerie Tan (Director Public Policy Asia Pacific Mastercard), Tina Chee (CTO & Head of Systems Engineering Cisco Malaysia) and Tina Jamaluddin (Senior Representative Malaysia - US ASEAN Business Council).”

2019 Vietnam Business Mission, March 12-14

The US-ASEAN Business Council met with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc during its annual Vietnam Business Mission on March 14, 2019. The delegation of 43 companies was co-led by Alexander Feldman, President & CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council, Ambassador Michael Michalak, Senior Vice President & Regional Managing Director of the US-ASEAN Business Council and Jocot De Dios, CEO of GE Philippines & Managing Director for Government Affairs & Policy of GE Asia Pacific, and Chair of the Council’s Vietnam Committee.

Launch of "ASEAN Matters" Fourth Edition, July 23

Congressman Ted Yoho (R-Fl.), member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific gave remarks at the launch of ASEAN Matters for America, America Matters for ASEAN publication launch event on Capital Hill. Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and co-founder and co-chair of the ASEAN Caucus, H.E. Mahendra Siregar, Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, and Astri Kimball Van Dyke, Senior Counsel at Google also gave remarks at the event.

2019 Cambodia Business Mission, July 8-9

His Excellency Pan Sorasak, Cambodian Minister of Commerce and Alex Feldman, US-ASEAN Business Council President and CEO at the 2019 Cambodia Business Mission in Phnom Penh, taking place from July 8-9. The mission focused on supporting capacity-building efforts, including human capital development, SME training, and youth leadership programs throughout Cambodia. Representatives from 14 American companies attended the mission.

2019 Mission to the ASEAN Directors-General of Customs Meeting

On June 11-12, the Council led a delegation of US companies to the 28^th Meeting of the ASEAN Directors-General of Customs in Vientiane, Laos, featuring a plenary consultation session with all 10 ASEAN leaders. The mission was led by Fatimah Alsagoff of UPS, Chair of the Customs and Trade Facilitation Committee, and Amb. Michael Michalak, Council Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director.

US-ASEAN Business Council 35th Anniversary Gala

On June 19, 2019, the US-ASEAN Business Council celebrated its 35th Anniversary at its annual gala dinner, with a keynote address from Randall Schriver, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, and remarks from the Honorable Elaine Chao, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, David Bohigian, Acting President and CEO of OPIC, and Congressman Ted Yoho, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and Nonproliferation.

2019 Singapore Business Mission, May 7 - 9

On May 7-9, the US-ASEAN Business Council led a business delegation to Singapore where US firms engaged with government ministers to deepen partnerships with Singapore and to promote free and open trade in southeast Asia. Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore Foreign Minister and Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation initiative, underscored Singapore’s role as a launchpad for innovation. American business supports Singapore’s tech and finance hub goals and are eager to participate in Singapore’s next phase of development.”