Thailand…Gateway to South East Asia Markets

Trade and Partner Relations Briefing:  “Thailand…Gateway to Southeast Asia Markets”

North Carolina businesses join us to learn more about the trade and partnering opportunities of Southeast Asia and how choosing Thailand as your strategic partner will help your company expand  business by reaching a population of approximately 600 million.

Breakfast Meeting

TOPIC:  “Thailand….Gateway to Southeast Asia Markets”

DATE:  September 8, 2011    |    TIME:  8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

LOCATION:  Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC

REGISTRATION FORM

SPEAKERS

• Dr. Nathan Hatch, President, Wake Forest University  |  Welcoming Remarks
• Mr. Derek Chen, Director of Foreign Operations, North Carolina Department of Commerce 
• Mrs. Kessiri Siripakorn, Minister (Commercial), Office of Commercial Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy
• Ms. Jittima Srithaporn, Counselor (Commercial), Office of Commercial Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy |   “Overview on Thailand – US Trade Relationship”
• Mrs. Somjin Plengkhum, Executive Director of Thai Trade Center – New York |  “Trade Promotion between Thailand and US”
• Mrs. Siriporn Nurugsa, Director of Board of Investment – New York  |  “Business Opportunities in Thailand and Beyond”
• Mr. Mark Phillips, Honorary Trade Advisor to the Ministry of Commerce  |  “Experiences in Doing Business in Thailand”
• Mr. Steve Johnson, Marketing Manager, Tourism Authority of Thailand- New York:  |  “Thailand Tourism in a Nutshell and Thailand: Gateway to Indochina”

 Why Join this Session? Key Points:

• The Obama Administration has set a goal of doubling U.S. exports in five years.  Thailand is a part of this solution, with a 30 percent increase in U.S. exports to Thailand in 2010.  One way is through increased trade with Thailand.  North Carolina trade statistics show that total state exports to Thailand in 2010 ranked 20th out of the 50 states.

• In 2010, total exports from North Carolina to Thailand were $135 million.  Top five sectors were chemicals ($28 million), agriculture products ($20 million), paper ($15 million), textiles and fabrics ($13 million), and computer and electric products ($11 million).

• Thailand is the oldest non-European ally of the United States with its 178 years of friendship and is a reliable partner for American businesses.

• Thailand has a leading role in the integration process of ASEAN, the regional and economic organization of the ten countries of Southeast Asia.