Welcome Remarks by Charge d’Affaires, a.i., Jeff Daigle at U.S.-ASEAN Business Council Reception

U.S. Embassy, Phnom Penh | March 19, 2012

(as delivered)

Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.  Good evening and thank you very much for coming to the United States Embassy tonight to welcome the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council back to Cambodia.  

The Council’s membership includes some of America’s largest corporations.  Collectively, they see ASEAN as a dynamic and impressive market with nearly 600 million people and a combined GDP of $1.5 trillion.

The eleven companies that are represented in this week’s mission constitute one of the most robust delegations to date and reflect a growing interest on the part of the American business community in Cambodia.  The delegation represents some of the biggest names – not just in America, but in the world – in the fields of oil and gas, logistics, information technology, and consumer products.

Cambodia’s current role as chair of ASEAN in 2012 is a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on all of the positive developments that have taken place here since the last time it served as chair in 2002.  Cambodia is a rapidly changing country and the United States is optimistic about what the future holds.  As the country continues to develop, we expect to see many more American companies entering Cambodia.

Challenges still remain but business missions such as this one are beneficial in many ways.  Business executives get to see first-hand the exciting opportunities in frontier markets such as Cambodia.  Cambodian government officials get to hear feedback on the investment climate they have created and solicit feedback on how to improve the system.

American companies represent quality foreign investment.  They require higher standards of accountability and transparency.  In return, they give back to the communities in which they operate.  This corporate citizenship distinguishes the American business culture.

The U.S. government sees its mission here as a collaborative one.  It is a pleasure to welcome back the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, our longstanding partner in the effort to improve relations with Cambodia and create opportunities for Cambodians and Americans alike.

I would now like to invite to the podium Mr. Alex Feldman, President of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, to say a few words.