USTDA and U.S. Industry Cooperate to Support Connectivity and Trade in ASEAN Region
November 18, 2011
(USTDA)
ARLINGTON, VA – President Obama and his counterparts from the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) announced the U.S.-ASEAN Connectivity
Cooperation Initiative, to be implemented by the U.S. Trade and Development
Agency (USTDA) in cooperation with the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council and its
member companies. By launching this Initiative, USTDA is forming a partnership
between the U.S. government and U.S. industry that will play a vital role in
accelerating the region's economic integration and strengthening ties between
our nations.
The Initiative will expand U.S.-ASEAN cooperation and commercial engagement in
three areas: energy, transportation, and information and communications
technology (ICT) connectivity across the ASEAN region. Leveraging U.S. private
sector resources and expertise, USTDA and ASEAN partners intend to support
activities such as reverse trade missions, feasibility studies, technical
assistance and workshops that foster effective new partnerships between private
sector and government entities to increase connectivity and investment in the
three sectors. With a population of approximately 580 million and a combined GDP
of $1.5 trillion, ASEAN is the United States' fourth largest export market and a
key market to facilitate long-term economic development that is mutually
beneficial.
The Connectivity Initiative is designed to support ASEAN's goal of fostering
greater connectivity to achieve an economically integrated ASEAN Community by
2015. This vision includes enhancing connectivity in Southeast Asia in three
core elements: developing physical infrastructure; streamlining institutions,
mechanisms, and processes; and expanding people-to-people ties across the
region.
"ASEAN is a critical venue for U.S. exports, and USTDA will continue to promote
U.S. export opportunities as well as development of key infrastructure in
Southeast Asia by supporting this Initiative," stated USTDA Director Leocadia I.
Zak.
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