USABC Leads Record Breaking Business Delegation to Engage New Cambodian Government
March 1, 2024
(Phnom Penh, Cambodia) – On February 28-29, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) organized a delegation of 17 leading U.S. companies for a series of high-level engagements with the Government of Cambodia. The delegation, the largest to Cambodia in USABC history, was led by Ambassador Brian McFeeters, USABC Senior Vice President & Regional Managing Director, and William Lafferrandre, Senior Business Development Advisor of ConocoPhillips and Chair of USABC’s Cambodia Committee.
The mission offered a valuable platform for USABC member companies to directly engage with the new Government of Prime Minister Hun Manet, which assumed power in August 2023. The delegation had extensive discussions with the Government on ways to promote stronger business ties between the United States and Cambodia, as well as ways in which Cambodia can achieve its economic and development goals through the implementation of the “Pentagonal Strategy”.
“We were impressed by the vision and dynamism of the new Government of Prime Minister Hun Manet”, said Amb. Brian McFeeters, Senior Vice President & Regional Managing Director of the US-ASEAN Business Council. “We come away with high hopes that the Cambodian Government will work hand-in-hand with the American private sector to foster a conducive business environment, moving forward”, he added.
During the mission, the delegation met with Prime Minister Hun Manet and key members of his economic cabinet including: Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice-Chairman of the Cambodian Investment Board Sun Chanthol; Senior Minister Sok Siphana; National Bank of Cambodia Governor Chea Serey; Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Chea Vandeth; Minister of Tourism Sok Soken; Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation Hem Vanndy; Minister of Health Chheang Ra; Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak, among others. Throughout the mission, the delegation collaborated closely with and was hosted to a dinner reception by the U.S. Embassy senior leadership team, led by Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy.
Companies who participated in the mission include ConocoPhillips, Ford, Abbott, ADM, Chevron, Estée Lauder Companies, FedEx Express, Jhpiego, Manulife, Mastercard, Meta, Pfizer, Philip Morris International, RMA Group, Roche, Tilleke & Gibbins, and Visa.