The US-ASEAN Business Council and East-West Center Launch New Edition of ASEAN Matters for America

Washington, D.C. – The US-ASEAN Business Council and the East-West Center launched the 6th edition of ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters for ASEAN at the Rayburn House Office Building to highlight Congress's important role in strengthening US-ASEAN relations. The publication was a collaboration between the US-ASEAN Business Council, the East-West Center, and the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

(Washington, D.C.) Ambassador Robert Blake, Senior Director at McLarty Associates; Dr. Satu Limaye, Vice President & Director at the East-West Center; Ambassador Ted Osius, President & CEO at the US-ASEAN Business Council; and H.E. Rosan Roeslani, Ambassador of Indonesia to the U.S. [Photo Credit: Jason Dixon Photography]
(Washington, D.C.) Ambassador Robert Blake, Senior Director at McLarty Associates; Dr. Satu Limaye, Vice President & Director at the East-West Center; Ambassador Ted Osius, President & CEO at the US-ASEAN Business Council; and H.E. Rosan Roeslani, Ambassador of Indonesia to the U.S. [Photo Credit: Jason Dixon Photography]

The 6th edition features insightful infographics, data, and analysis of economic, diplomatic, and cultural interactions and impacts at the national, state, and local levels, highlighting the deep and growing ties between the U.S. and ASEAN.

Dr. Satu Limaye, Vice President of the East-West Center and Director of the Center's Washington and Research programs, kicked off the event by saying, "We could not have produced this publication without the continued support of our partners at the US-ASEAN Business Council, the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, and the entire East-West Center in Washington team.”

Representative Ami Bera (CA-6) provided congressional perspectives on the region. [Photo Credit: Jason Dixon Photography]
Representative Ami Bera (CA-6) provided congressional perspectives on the region. [Photo Credit: Jason Dixon Photography]

The event brought together members of Congress and their staff, U.S. government officials, the private sector, regional experts, and the interested public to celebrate the deep and rich partnerships between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ​ 

"ASEAN is a major economic and security player in the region," said His Excellency Rosan Roeslani, Ambassador of Indonesia to the United States. "Our trade and investment ties are stronger than ever before."

"ASEAN is a key partner for U.S. trade and investment," said Ambassador Ted Osius, President & CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council. "The U.S. and ASEAN exchange $508 billion in goods and services annually, and ASEAN is the number one destination for U.S. investment in the Indo-Pacific. While ASEAN is a valuable trade partner for the United States, with four ASEAN nations in America's top twenty trade partners, its strategic importance is also growing. In Q1 of this year, almost 50% of all the semiconductor chips imported into the U.S. came from four ASEAN nations, led by Malaysia."

"Deepening our commitment to ASEAN is at the core of our Indo-Pacific strategy," said Robert Koepcke, Director of the Office of Mainland Southeast Asia at the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State. "ASEAN is at the core of those interests."

Fireside chat on “Commercial Trade, Investment, and Energy in US-ASEAN Relations,” Dr. Satu Limaye, Vice President & Director at the East-West Center; Ambassador Robert Blake, Senior Director at McLarty Associates; Anthony Nelson, Associate Partner for East Asia Pacific at Albright Stonebridge Group; Lilibeth Almonte-Arbez, Senior Director at US-ASEAN Business Council [Photo Credit: Jason Dixon Photography]
Fireside chat on “Commercial Trade, Investment, and Energy in US-ASEAN Relations,” Dr. Satu Limaye, Vice President & Director at the East-West Center; Ambassador Robert Blake, Senior Director at McLarty Associates; Anthony Nelson, Associate Partner for East Asia Pacific at Albright Stonebridge Group; Lilibeth Almonte-Arbez, Senior Director at US-ASEAN Business Council [Photo Credit: Jason Dixon Photography]

The launch event included remarks from prominent U.S. government officials, private sector representatives, and experts, including:

  • Rep. Ami Bera (CA-6), Member, U.S. Congressional Caucus on ASEAN
  • Shaun Garrison, Senior Manager, Federal & Diplomatic Government Relations, The Coca-Cola Company
  • Ambassador Piper Campbell, Chair, Department of Foreign Policy & Global Security, American University School of International Service
  • Ambassador Robert Blake, Senior Managing Director, McLarty Associates
  • Lilibeth Almonte-Arbez, Senior Director for Maritime Southeast Asia, International Trade Policy, US-ASEAN Business Council
  • Anthony Nelson, Associate Partner, East Asia & Pacific Practice, Albright Stonebridge Group 

The new ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters for ASEAN edition is available on the Asia Matters for America website here.

The event was generously sponsored by Platinum Sponsor The Coca-Cola Company; Gold Sponsors Vinfast, Expedia Group, and Chevron; and Silver Sponsors Energy Capital Vietnam, Citi, AIG, Marriott International, and Boeing.

 

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About US-ASEAN Business Council

Since 1984, the US-ASEAN Business Council has been the premier advocacy organization for U.S. corporations operating within the dynamic Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Worldwide, the Council's membership of nearly 170 companies generates almost US$7 trillion in revenue and employs more than 14.5 million people.  Today our members include the largest U.S. companies conducting business in ASEAN and range from newcomers to the region to companies that have been working in Southeast Asia for more than 100 years. The Council has nine offices around the globe, in Washington, DC; New York, NY; Bangkok, Thailand; Hanoi, Vietnam; Jakarta, Indonesia; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Manila, Philippines; Singapore; and Yangon, Myanmar.

Contact

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