Thai PM Meets U.S. Business Leaders in New York to Boost Trade Ties

NEW YORK, Sept 24 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met with U.S. business executives in New York on Sept. 23 to highlight Thailand's position as a gateway to ASEAN’s 700 million consumers and encourage bilateral trade and investment.

Speaking at an event hosted by the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at the Four Seasons Hotel, Anutin addressed shifting geopolitical dynamics and global trade friction, noting that Thailand is working to streamline business procedures and finalize key trade agreements, including negotiations with the United States.

The Prime Minister stated that investment applications in Thailand reached approximately $44 billion in the first half of the year, representing a 37% year-on-year increase, and reiterated the government's goal to place Thailand among the world’s top 20 most competitive economies by 2030.

The engagement took place during Anutin's visit to New York for the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), where he is also scheduled to address the UN General Assembly and hold talks with global business and finance executives.

Brian McFeeters, President and CEO of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, noted Thailand’s role as a strategic market and expressed readiness to strengthen commercial cooperation. Michael DeSombre, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, highlighted opportunities for partnership in technology, energy, supply chains, and Superintelligence (SI) applications.

Several attendees are expected to travel to Bangkok next month for the World Bank–IMF Annual Meetings. -819 (TNA)