Taiwan & Thailand Photo Gallery
 

Lt. Governor Brad Owen's

Trade and Goodwill Mission to Taiwan and Thailand

April 15-25, 2004

This spring Lieutenant Governor Owen led a delegation to Southeast Asia to expand upon the ties with our state, strengthen the existing relationships and build new ones.  The goodwill and trade mission visit to Taiwan was initiated by an invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan who hosted the government delegates, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office who worked closely with the Office of Lt. Governor to organize the visit. 

Thailand was chosen as a second country to visit based on an invitation from Isinthorn Sornvai, Thai Consul General in Los Angeles, and interest expressed by prospective delegates.  Thailand’s Department of Export Promotion agreed to host part of the mission, making the fee which legislators had to pay out of their own pocket more economical, and of course avoiding any use of Washington taxpayers’ dollars.

The delegation of about twenty-five was comprised of high-level legislators and representatives from Washington ports and government, higher education, international trade organizations and the private sector.  They were excited to visit existing customers, form new relationships, explore trade opportunities and learn more about the culture of these two Asian countries.

The mission was organized by the Lt. Governor's Office in partnership with the World Trade Center Tacoma, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle, the Royal Thai Consulate and Trade Center in Los Angeles, and Washington State Community Trade and Economic Development's representative in Taipei.  In addition, several Washington organizations donated gifts to present to our meeting hosts.  These contributors included the Washington State Wine Commission, Horticulture Commission and Potato Commission, Brown & Haley, See's Candies, Ames International, Aplets & Cotlets, Seattle Mariners, Welch's Fruit Juice and individual legislators.

This mission would not have been possible without the support and/or financial sponsorships from the following organizations (in alphabetical order):

American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei
City of Taichung
Costco
DHL Taiwan Corp.
EVA Airways Corporation
Itron
Port of Seattle
Port of Tacoma
Starbucks
Taichung World Trade Center
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Thailand's Board of Investment
Thailand's Department of Export Promotion
Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Thailand-US Business Council in Bangkok
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tunghai University, Taichung
US Commercial Service, Bangkok
US Commercial Service, Taipei
US-Thailand Business Council in Washington DC
Washington State Horticulture Association
Washington State Potato Commission
 
We feel confident that delegates and our state as a whole will continue to reap rewards from the new friendships and strengthened cultural and economic ties. 

To offer comments or for more detailed information on the mission, including sites visited and meetings, please contact Juliette Schindler Kelly, Office of Lt. Governor at 360-786-7730.