AIT Hosts Agricultural Appreciation Banquet
More than 300 contacts of the Agricultural Affairs Section of the American Institute in Taiwan participated in the first annual Trade Appreciation Banquet and U.S. Cotton Fashion Show on Friday, March 30, 2007. The banquet, sponsored by the AIT Agricultural Affairs Section in cooperation with its many U.S. agricultural association partners, aimed to express appreciation to the Taiwan importers, distributors, retailers, government officials and others who have supported the US - Taiwan food and agricultural relationship. It also showed invited guests that importing U.S. products can be both profitable and fun.
"Taiwan is the sixth largest market in the world for U.S. agricultural and food exports," said Scott Sindelar, Chief of AIT's Agricultural Affairs Section. "In 2006, the United States exported nearly US$2.6 billion worth of agricultural and food products to Taiwan. Taiwan consumers per capita eat more US food products than any other country in the world outside of the United States and Canada."
The banquet featured an Asian-style dinner incorporating U.S. food ingredients using the freshest, highest quality U.S. poultry, beef, pork, ginseng, wine, fruits, and vegetables. Meanwhile, more than 30 children from AIT and the Agricultural Section's contact community held a fashion show showcasing some of the new children's outfits using U.S. cotton.
The fashion show was sponsored by Les Enphants, one of Taiwan's premier children's clothing manufacturers and retailers, and a steadfast customer of U.S. cotton for its consistently high quality and durability. The banquet was co-sponsored by several US producer associations, including the US Wheat Association, Washington Apple Commission, Pear Bureau Northwest, California Cherry Advisory Board, California Tree Fruit Agreement, California Table Grape Commission, US Potato Board, California Agriculture Export Council, Almond Board of California, Raisin Administrative Committee, USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, Cotton Council International, American Soybean Association, Ocean Spray International, USA Rice Federation, US Dairy Export Council, State of Idaho - Asia Trade Office, US Meat Export Federation, CropLife, US Grains Council, and the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin.