Speeches

Food & Hotel Asia Reception
Remarks by Ambassador Patricia L. Herbold
April 26, 2006

Thank you, Jonathan.  It’s a great pleasure for me to join all of you this evening.  I’d like to begin my short comments by thanking our sponsors, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Outback Steakhouse, for their support of our trade promotion program and for making it possible for us to get together for this lovely reception.

Tonight’s reception is in honor of the more than 100 American firms exhibiting at Food & Hotel Asia.  I’m delighted to see so many Singaporean companies here.  As you look around the room and introduce yourselves to each other, you’ll find that many of the Americans joining us tonight represent new-to-market U.S. companies.  Many of these companies are small and medium sized enterprises and they are eager to do business in Singapore and in the region.  Though these companies may not be well known in Singapore yet, they offer delicious food products, many of which are showcased at this reception, as well as innovative technologies and equipment.  And equally as important, their presence in Singapore for Food & Hotel Asia demonstrates their commitment to the Asia-Pacific market.

I urge you to take the opportunity this evening to network.  I hope you are all able to establish connections that develop into strong commercial relationships.  My Foreign Agricultural Team, led by Jonathan Gressel, and my Commercial Service team, led by George Ruffner, are here to support you.  We’re glad you’re here, and wish you tremendous success this week.

Thank you.