He also pointed that out of 20 US companies delegations based in ASEAN, at least six companies have established ASEAN department or business units, the ASEAN Secretariat said in a press statement here on Monday.
"This underscores the importance of ASEAN region to the US companies," Dr Surin said.
The US business community expanded its commitment to Southeast Asia by launching the US-ASEAN Business Council`s first official ASEAN Working Committee during the US-ABC`s annual delegation to the 43rd ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting and Related Meetings held in Manado, North Sulawesi, over last weekend.
The Committee, chaired by Sam Kim of Procter & Gamble, will channel US private sector support for ASEAN Economic Integration and capacity building for ASEAN and its Member States.
Minister Dr Mari Elka Pangestu, who is the AEM Chair this year and also the Minister of Trade of Indonesia, informed the representatives of the Council that the AEM and the US Trade Representatives (USTR) have agreed to organize a road show to the US to promote ASEAN to the US business community; as well as an ASEAN-US Business Forum in ASEAN next year.
"It is crucial to include both government and business sectors in such initiatives to strengthen and deepen economic integration between ASEAN and the United States. The Business Forum is expected to focus on the selected business sectors that ASEAN and US have mutual interests, among others," Minister Mari said.
The Council announced the formation of the Committee during its dialogue with the AEM and the Deputy USTR, Ambassador Demetrious Marantis. The Council is the only US-based organization which attends the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting every year.
"ASEAN`s successful integration will create a single market of 600 million people making it the world?s third largest market", said Council President Alexander Feldman.
The Council`s 12-company delegation to the 43rd AEM Meeting and Related Meetings this year consists of Procter & Gamble, Hewlett-Packard, Johnson & Johnson, Cargill, FedEx Express, GE, Google, Intel, Microsoft, Syngenta, UPS, and White & Case.
(Tx.F001/HAJM/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
