Press Availability with Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Demetrios Marantis

Ambassador Marantis talks to press in Putrajaya

At the end of a two day visit to KL, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Demetrios Marantis met with local KL press on February 4, 2010.  Eleven journalists from local media attended the event.  Ambassador Marantis explained to press in Putrajaya that his trip to Malaysia was to meet with Malaysian government and business leaders to discuss ways to strengthen trade and investment ties between United States and Malaysia.  Ambassador Marantis said the Obama Administration hopes to expand trade ties in the Asia-Pacific region and to promote economic growth and job creation through trade. He also explained U.S. participation in the Trans-Pacific Agreement which is a platform for economic integration across the dynamic Asia-Pacific region.  Ambassador Marantis also stressed the importance of the administration’s trade agenda in increasing exports, creating jobs, and promoting the engagement of small-and medium-sized enterprises in the global economy.  Ambassador Marantis mentioned the progress being made by Malaysia in improving intellectual property rights protection and enforcement.