About 50 businessmen and officials will accompany caretaker Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak on a mission to the United States aimed at opening up export markets.

Somkid and the delegation will hold talks with American companies and government agencies.

The July 8-14 trip to Washington and New York will focus on opening more markets for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

"It's a big business group to visit the US, and the goal is really to open the market for SMEs and their exports," one businessman said.

Somkid said on Monday that despite suspension of Thai-US free-trade negotiations, that bilateral talks were not the purpose of this trip. The two countries should nourish their long relationship, particularly in trade, investment, and technology.

The first part of the trip will be an official meeting in Washington to discuss American trade barriers on Thai goods. The second part, in New York, will focus on business agreements and cooperation between the two nations.

Somkid and delegates are due to meet US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and US Trade Representative Susan Schwab next Monday. Thailand will ask the US to abolish unfair trade practices affecting Thai shrimp exports.

A Thai Commerce Ministry source said the delegation would also meet key US trade groups, including the Grocery Manufacturers' Association, the National Association of Manufacturers and the Sweetener Users' Association, plus leading businessmen like Sara Lee Branded Apparel president Gerald Evans.

Somkid will witness the signing of contracts in New York involving the Thai garment manufacturers, auto-parts makers, and the Thai Food Processors' Association; plus Pranda Jewellery Plc, Bangkok Weaving Mills and CP Intertrade. American groups involved include the US Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association.

The source said private-sector reps would have breakfast with executives of major store operators such as Li & Fung, Wal-Mart, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Bed Bath & Beyond and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Meetings will also be arranged with Dow Chemical, Colgate, AIG Companies, IBM, Guardian and Hutchinson.

Achara Pongvutitham,

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation