Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Eric G. John, at Press Conference USA Fair 2009, Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel, Napalai Ballroom, Bangkok
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to be here today to announce the fourth annual USA Fair to be held November 19-22 at the Siam Paragon. The U.S. Embassy is proud to once again partner with the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand to bring together a four-day consumer fair featuring all the best that the United States of America has to offer.
The theme for this year’s event is Clean & Green – Environmentally Friendly. This theme is important for both our countries. The Thai government is supportive of renewable and alternative energy projects, and demand is growing for bio-fuels, bio-mass, hydropower, wind power and solar power equipment and technology to meet development plans. Thailand has taken a leadership role in ASEAN for climate change negotiations, and will host the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change talks in Bangkok from September 28 to October 9 as one of the last major global negotiations before the Copenhagen talks to be held in December.
America is also taking steps at home and abroad to encourage sustainable energy use and tackle the global challenge of climate change. Efforts range from promoting high fuel efficiency standards for automobiles to stricter limits on greenhouse gas emission.
The Obama Administration has made the development of a clean energy sector part of its efforts to help the American economy recover. The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, signed by President Obama in February, dedicates around 10 percent of the $787 billion stimulus package to fund tax credits and green energy projects.
U.S. organizations and companies are also playing a key role. American firms have much to offer with their world-leading expertise and innovative abilities in developing new technology and reducing energy consumption. You will see a number of leading U.S. companies at the USA Fair promoting their clean and green solutions. Thailand’s environmental protection and renewable energy market offers growing opportunities for U.S. businesses, from greener manufacturing procedures to more energy efficient consumer products.
This shared focused on clean and green is important, as the U.S.-Thai relationship is strengthened on the basis of mutual commercial and trade interests. Thailand continues to be ranked among the United States’ top 25 largest trading partners, and the United States is Thailand’s largest customer. Likewise, the Thai market has long been an important destination for U.S. exports and investment. This year’s USA Fair will give Thai consumers an opportunity to see, taste and experience this dynamic relationship.
With over 50 U.S. companies exhibiting, visitors to the fair will be able to see everything from the latest in sportswear, to consumer goods and services. I would like to thank our platinum plus sponsor Amway, our platinum sponsors American International Assurance (AIA) and Coca-Cola, our gold sponsor Dow Chemical, and our silver sponsor Ford, for their generous support of this event.
Like last year, the U.S. Embassy will have a booth that will be staffed by members of our Commercial, Agriculture, Public Affairs and Consular sections. We will be working with leading U.S. companies to showcase American technology and also promote U.S. education. Catalogues and information are available on over 40 U.S. colleges and universities as part of a digital education experience. I encourage you all to stop by and see what everyone has to offer.
Finally, I would like to thank you all for coming today and I hope that you join us November 19-22 to enjoy a little bit of the USA here in Bangkok.