US-ASEAN Business Council

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.”

Welcome Luncheon in Honor of H.E. Mahendra Siregar, Ambassador of Indonesia to the U.S.

On April 18, the Council hosted a welcome luncheon for the new Indonesian Ambassador, H.E. Mahendra Siregar. We look forward to working with Ambassador Siregar to continue to strengthen US-Indonesia ties and maintain engagement on trade and investment issues.

US-ASEAN Business Council Hosts Vietnam Minister & Chairman Mai Tien Dung in Washington on April 11

On Thursday, April 11, the Council hosted a roundtable, reception and dinner in honor of H.E. Mai Tien Dung, Minister & Chairman of the Office of the Government of Vietnam, in Washington, D.C., ahead of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings. During the dinner, both Chairman Dung and Deputy USTR Ambassador Jeffrey Gerrish delivered remarks to highlight the importance of the U.S.-Vietnam trade and investment relationship.

2019 Business Mission to the ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, April 3-5

From April 3-5, the Council attended the 5th annual ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting (AFMGM) in Chiang Rai, Thailand. The delegation of 16 companies was led by Co-chairs of the Council Financial Services Committee Amol Gupte of Citi and Yancy Molnar of Chubb; Alexander Feldman, President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council; and Ambassador Michael W. Michalak, Council Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director.

Roundtable with Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry Darell Leiking

On April 1, 2019, the Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon roundtable for Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry Darell Leiking during his first visit to Washington, DC. Minister Leiking provided USABC and USCC members an update on Malaysia’s trade agenda in a small off-the-record discussion.

Singapore Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing at US-ASEAN Business Council luncheon, March 20.

Minister Chan engages American business at US-ASEAN Business Council luncheon on during introductory visit to the United States.

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.

The Council Mourns the Passing of H.E. Virachai Plasai, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United States

The Council will deeply miss working with Ambassador Virachai and will always remember his great contributions to the Washington D.C. community and the advancement of the U.S.-Thai economic relationship.

Farewell luncheon for H.E. Ambassador Budi Bowoleksono, February 12

On February 12, 2019, the Council hosted a farewell luncheon for H.E. Ambassador Budi Bowoleksono before his return to Indonesia after five years of service in Washington, DC. Ambassador Bowoleksono has made tremendous progress in promoting U.S.-Indonesia relations and it has been our pleasure working with Ambassador Bowoleksono in Washington.

2019 Business Mission to the 22nd Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, January 15 - 17

From January 15-17, the Council held its second engagement with the 22nd Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers (M-ATM) in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. The Council’s delegates to the ministerial comprised of senior executives from leading companies across the travel and tourism value chain. During the consultation session with the ASEAN National Tourism Organizations, the Council explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration through multiple platforms, such as organizing a panel on the role of the digital economy in travel and tourism, and business mission road shows to ASEAN countries, among others.