On September 19, 2024, Consul-General Katanawadee Kalayanamit, accompanied by Deputy Consul-General Natnapang Damrongsoontornchai, Mr. Nanthapol Sudbantad, Director of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) New York Office, and staff, visited Ankeny and Des Moines, Iowa to explore opportunities for expanding cooperation, particularly in the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy.

 

During their visit to Ankeny, the delegation met with Mr. Edward McGreen, Chief Executive Officer of Kreg Tool Company, and Ms. Kelsy Ballard, Project Development Director at MidAmerican Energy Company, to discuss energy services and renewable energy technologies.

 

In Des Moines, the delegation met with Mr. Ryan Carroll, International Trade Manager at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, and Mrs. Billi Hunt, Executive Director of America's Cultivation Corridor, for a briefing on the city's economic development strategies.

 

Additionally, they met with Mr. Nick Peterson, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Alliant Energy, who provided insights into innovations in renewable energy, including solar energy applications in agriculture, such as Agrivoltaics.

 

The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Chicago extends sincere appreciation to Mrs. Melisa Cox, Executive Chairman of the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce, and Mrs. Suthiporn Bunyothayan, President of the Thai Association of Iowa, for coordinating the meetings in Iowa.