On June 24, 2024, His Excellency Dr. Suriya Chindawongse, Ambassador of Thailand to the U.S., and Mr. Nanthapol Sudbanthad, Director of the BOI New York Office and his team, participated in the SelectUSA Investment Summit 2024 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. This event brought together Thai private sector representatives and academia to meet with Mr. James Golsen, the Deputy Director General of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and introduced the BOI agency for collaborative efforts to promote investment ties between Thailand and the U.S. It also provided an opportunity for representatives from the Thai private sector to provide updates on business growth and future investment plans in the U.S.

Ambassador Suriya visited various government booths promoting investment opportunities in each state such as Michigan, Arizona, and Ohio etc. The event also featured pitching sessions for startups seeking funding, particularly in deep tech sectors. In this process, Ambassador Suriya met with the Honorable Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan who invited the Ambassador to visit Michigan.

Furthermore, Ambassador Suriya and Director Nanthapol exchanged greetings and had brief discussions with the Honorable Gina Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce before attending a panel discussion on "Women in Tech" led by Secretary Gina Raimondo to learn more about opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow tech businesses in the U.S. and sources of funding. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce emphasized the following key points about startup opportunities:

- The U.S. Government's $50 billion investment in technology innovation through the Chips and Science Act, as part of a $150 billion investment in technology infrastructure development aims to bolster American semiconductor manufacturing. This Tech Hubs initiative will support tech investments in diverse communities nationwide, extending beyond traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley, New York, and Texas to areas such as Arizona, upstate New York, and the Midwest, promoting inclusivity and equitable opportunities. Since 95 percent of new tech jobs are now in only 5 communities in America, it is important to diversify the development of this industry to other communities.

- Another priority is to bolster safe AI development that will lead to inclusive business development including through the newly established AI Safety Institute.

- Perseverance is essential for entrepreneurs. Networking, pitching ideas, and learning from each encounter are critical to overcoming challenges and achieving success. Finding investors who value innovation and diversity is key. Every meeting is part of the learning process and will ultimately lead to success.

- Starting and running a business is inherently challenging. Even large companies such as Google faced early struggles. Entrepreneurs must remain persistent and confident in their vision, utilizing resources such as networking, local government support particularly local governors and local mayors, and university partnerships to navigate obstacles.

- The strength of any team lies in its collective effort and support. Engaging with conferences, seeking advice, and strategically using social networking are crucial. Understanding the local business environment and leveraging available resources and build alliances will help overcome hurdles.

- Diversity and innovation are fundamental to long-term success. Entrepreneurs should build businesses that generate profit and create lasting value and opportunities for others. Fostering diverse leadership and teams makes businesses more innovative and effective. This diversity, including contributions from immigrants, is crucial for maintaining the U.S. economy’s competitiveness and ensuring a prosperous future for American businesses.

- It is also important to support promotion of women entrepreneurs and U.S. supports this through programs such as the Woman’s Entrepreneurship Initiative which emphasizes the promotion and protection of intellectual property so that their business ideas are protected.

Additionally, Director Nanthapol together with Ambassador Suriya joined a networking reception hosted by Ford Motors at its Washington D.C. Government Affairs Office. They met with Ford’s executive team to follow up on regional projects and plans as well as introduced Ambassador Suriya, who just recently assumed his post in Washington, D.C.