04 June 2014 – United States Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and the US-ASEAN Business Council called on President Aquino today, June 04 and discussed the growing interest of the US in deepening economic relations with the Philippines. Recognizing the governance reforms made under the leadership of President Aquino as well as the strong and deep relations between the Philippines and the United States, Secretary Pritzker underscored the continuing confidence of American companies to do business in the Philippines and how to further their engagement in the country as part of American rebalance to the region. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. Del Rosario was present during the call along with other Cabinet officials.

“The Southeast Asian region’s spectacular economic growth is achieved through peace and stability,” Secretary Del Rosario said. He urged the American business leaders to have a larger voice in promoting and sustaining the stability in the region towards attaining shared prosperity for our peoples.

Secretary Pritzker is in the country from June 3 to 4 following the visit of President Barack Obama to the Philippines on April 28. This is the first visit of a US Secretary of Commerce in almost twenty years.

Secretary Pritzker’s visit is in conjunction with the US-ASEAN Business Council CEO Mission composed of prominent US companies such as ACE, Underwriters Laboratories, AES Corporation, General Atlantic, Marsh & McLennan, Mead Johnson Nutrition, Qualcomm, Rio Tinto and McLarty Associates. The US-ASEAN Business Council was led by Mr. Evan Greenberg of ACE.

Secretary Pritzker's Asian trip included visits to the Philippines, Vietnam and Myanmar. This is her third trip to the region since assuming her post in June 2013. The US-ASEAN Business Council has been undertaking annual business missions to the Philippines since 2011. END