To further strengthen exchanges and interactions with sericulture and silk organizations and enterprises in Southeast Asia, and to understand the development conditions and supportive policies of the sericulture and silk industries in various Southeast Asian countries, from May 7th to May 13th, 2024, Zhang Guoqiang, Chairman of ISU and Chairman of the Board of Cathaya Group, leads a delegation to inspect the sericulture and silk industries in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, and holds the discussions with Queen Sirikit Department of Sericulture of Thailand, Department of Agriculture of Laos, Government of Xiangkhouang Province of Laos, Silk Industry Promotion and Development Committee under Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia, and Cambodian Investment Board, also visits relevant textile and silk enterprises in these three countries. Bian Xinger, Deputy Secretary-general and Pepper Liu, Secretary of ISU accompany the visit together.

On May 7th, Chairman Zhang and his delegation visit the PASAYA factory, a high-end home furnishing brand in Thailand. Accompanied by Chen Geng, Chairman of PASAYA, they tour the twisting, preparation and weaving, dyeing and finishing, sewing workshops, and the quality inspection laboratories, gaining an understanding of the production process, quality control system, and design, research, and development innovations of PASAYA's home furnishing products. They also learn about the development history and brand characteristics of PASAYA. Chairman Zhang affirms PASAYA's deep cultivation in the Thai market, focusing on environmental protection, and provision of quality products, at the same time introduces the development of ISU, and welcome PASAYA to join ISU. Chairman Chen Geng immediately expresses his willingness to become a member of ISU, strengthening international exchanges and enhancing the brand's international influence through the ISU platform.

On May 8th, Chairman Zhang and his delegation visit Chul Thai Silk Co., Ltd., the council member of ISU and Thailand's largest silk reeling enterprise. Accompanied by Saikwan Trisunan, the Overseas Sales Manager, they tour the entire industrial chain process, including mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing, cocoon harvesting and drying, silk reeling, twisting, yarn dyeing, quality inspection, and warehousing. They gain a comprehensive understanding of the development history of the Chul Group's family business and the current development scale and market situation of Chul Thai Silk Co., Ltd.

On May 9th, Chairman Zhang holds an exchange meeting with Watcharapong Kaewhom, Deputy Director of Queen Sirikit Sericulture Department(QSDS) of Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand. The meeting focuses on listening to the industrial development situation after the new director of QSDS took office last year, as well as the climate conditions and supportive policies for the development of the sericulture industry in Thailand. Chairman Zhang introduces the latest progress and future plans of ISU after the structure change last year, and once again invites the QSDS to join ISU. Deputy Director Watcharapong Kaewhom expresses that ISU has over 120 members from 35 countries and regions at present, and its development scale and influence continue to increase. The QSDS will continue to strengthen industrial exchanges through ISU and other international platforms, and will report the issue of joining ISU to the superior government departments for approval. Heads of various departments of the QSDS also participate in the meeting.

On May 10th, Chairman Zhang holds an exchange meeting with Bounchanh KHOMBOUNYASITH, Director General of Department of Agriculture of Laos(DOA). The meeting focuses on understanding the current development status, environmental conditions of the sericulture industry in Laos, as well as the relevant policies of the DOA to support the sericulture industry and attract external investment. Chairman Zhang comprehensively introduces the overall situation of ISU and expresses his welcome to relevant departments and organizations of Laos to join ISU, aiming to strengthen the exchange and interaction between Laos and the international sericulture and silk industry. DG Bounchanh KHOMBOUNYASITH expresses his gratitude to Chairman Zhang for his first visit to Laos and emphasizes that the development of the sericulture industry is in line with the cultural traditions of Laos. As a country involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Laos warmly welcomes enterprises from all countries, including China, to invest and develop businesses here, achieving mutual benefit and win-win results. Heads of various departments of the DOA, including sericulture research, agricultural products import and export, laws and regulations, standards and certification, commodity inspection, and administration, also attend the meeting.

On May 11th, Chairman Zhang holds an exchange meeting with BOUANGEUN HOUMXAIYAPHOM, the Deputy Governor of Xieng Khouang Province in Laos, discussing in depth the general situation, development conditions, and supporting policies of the sericulture industry in Xieng Khouang Province. Leaders from the Provincial Government Office, Department of Foreign Affairs, Planning and Investment, Industry and Commerce, Agriculture and Forestry, Resources, Environment and Land Management attend the meeting together. During the visit, accompanied by He Jianguo, Chairman of Vientiane Wanhui Agriculture Co., Ltd., and Wang Jiajie, the General Manager of Hangzhou Hualong Textile Machinery Co., Ltd., council member of ISU, Chairman Zhang investigates the mulberry planting, silkworm breeding and rearing, silkworm room facilities and equipment in Xieng Khouang Province, as well as the silk reeling base that is currently under construction.

On the morning of May 13th, Chairman Zhang holds a formal meeting with Mao Thora, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia(MOC) and the Deputy Chairman of the Silk Industry Promotion and Development Committee(SDC). The meeting focuses on understanding the new structure of the SDC after the leadership change and the future plans to support the development of the Cambodian silk industry, also learn about the MOC's aspirations to strengthen international cooperation, introduce external technological investment, and promote the industrialization of sericulture and silk industry through ISU platform. Chairman Zhang expresses that we will provide platform services under the operational mechanism and framework of ISU, and continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the SDC. Heads of various departments of the MOC and representatives of members of the SDC also attend the meeting.

On the afternoon of May 13th, Chairman Zhang holds a meeting with Suon Sophal, Deputy Secretary-General of Cambodia Investment Board(CIB) under Council for the Development of Cambodia(CDC). The meeting focuses on understanding the basic introduction and main responsibilities of the CDC, as well as the incentive policies and safeguard measures for investment and factory construction in Cambodia. Chairman Zhang introduces the development overview of ISU and its chairman unit, Cathaya Group, and expresses his hope to establish a cooperation and exchange mechanism with the CDC to promote and expand the implementation of silk textile industry-related investment projects in Cambodia. DSG Suon Sophal introduces in detail the newly promulgated Investment Law and emphasizes that Cambodia has introduced a series of preferential policies and provided high-quality and transparent services, welcoming enterprises from various countries of ISU to invest and develop in Cambodia. Representatives from the General Department of Customs and Excise, General Department of Taxation, and the CIB also attend the meeting.

The Cambodian national level newspaper called Khmer Times and the official website of the CDC have made detailed reports on the visit of ISU Chairman Zhang Guoqiang and his delegation.