MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The Alabama Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Assistance Center along with other Export Alabama Trade Alliance members will present a series of market briefings on Southeast Asia, featuring speaker Wanwemol Charukultharvatch, senior commercial specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.
Events are scheduled for Sept. 26 at BizTech in Huntsville from 8-9:30 a.m. and at the Birmingham Business Alliance from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; and for Sept. 27 at the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
“We are excited to have Ms. Charukultharvatch visit Alabama to talk directly with companies interested in this unique market for exports,” said Hilda Lockhart, director of the International Trade Division of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “Her areas of expertise are broad in numerous industry sectors, and she counsels U.S. government officials and private sector representatives regarding issues and business opportunities for this market.”
Industry sectors that are areas of focus for Charukultharvatch include land transportation infrastructure, architectural/construction/engineering services, construction machinery, building products and automotive.
Participating companies in this free event will also receive an overview of Southeast Asia, information on the State of Alabama trade mission to Jakarta, Indonesia, and Bangkok, Thailand, which will take place in late March 2014. Participation in the upcoming briefing will give companies the opportunity to learn more about how their products or services can succeed in the region. (Read a story about a recent Alabama trade mission to Sweden and Norway.)
The growing Southeast Asian markets offer opportunities for growth to Alabama companies. In 2012, Alabama exports to Thailand reached $183.7 million, while exports to Indonesia reached $33.3 million, representing increases of 6.18 percent and 46.44 percent over the previous year, respectively.
To register, contact Beau Lore of the Alabama Department of Commerce at 334-242-0450 or beau.lore@commerce.alabama.gov. You may also contact Lockhart at 334-242-0442 or hilda.lockhart@commerce.alabama.gov.
Related reading: Rising exports of Alabama-made goods expand state’s role in global economy
