U.S. Department of State Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs Sarah Morgenthau traveled to Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia from March 11 to 22 to highlight the positive impact of U.S. investment and American companies in Southeast Asia. U.S. companies hold more than $359 billion in direct investments across the region, which support more than three million American jobs.
In Singapore, the Special Representative met with government officials and U.S. private sector leaders to discuss how to increase U.S. economic presence in the region and participated in a roundtable organized by The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore.
In Hanoi, Special Representative Morgenthau joined one of the largest-ever delegations of U.S. businesses to Vietnam. The delegation, facilitated by the US-ASEAN Business Council, included 94 representatives from 49 U.S. companies. The delegation also included President and Chair of the Export-Import Bank of the United States Reta Jo Lewis and U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper.
In Jakarta, the Special Representative joined U.S. Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Yohannes Abraham to lead discussions on the importance of our shared commitment to an inclusive digital economy to ensure that benefits and opportunities flow to all people and all places.
This trip highlighted the United States’ position as the largest foreign direct investor in Southeast Asia and our readiness to be ASEAN’s partner of choice. Our shared future is bright.
For further information please contact the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs at EB-Press-Inquiry@state.gov.
