Showcases South Texas to Ambassador Ashok Kumar Mirpuri
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 4, 2013
PRESS CONTACT: Brenda Lopez 956.544.8352
Brownsville, TX – Last September, Congressman Vela attended a celebration at the Singapore Embassy in Washington D.C., commemorating Singapore’s National and Armed Forces Day. While there, Congressman Vela invited Singapore Ambassador to the U.S., Ashok Kumar Mirpuri, to Brownsville--an invitation the Ambassador promptly accepted.
On Friday evening, Ambassador Mirpuri made good on his promise and arrived in South Texas, where he was greeted by city, state, and federal officials at a reception hosted by the City of Brownsville at the historic Alonso Building. After the Ambassador learned about Brownsville’s unique history and culture, Congressman Vela presented him with a true South Texan gift-- a pair of King Ranch cufflinks.
Following the reception, Ambassador Mirpuri had dinner with Congressman Vela, Mayor Tony Martinez, Chief Operating Officer at Keppel AmFELS G.S. Tan and representatives from Brownsville Economic Development Council and Singapore Economic Development Board to discuss strengthening economic relationships between Brownsville and Singapore.
On Saturday, Ambassador Mirpuri received a tour of KeppelAmFELS’ facilitiesat the Port of Brownsville, which refurbishes mobile drilling rigs and employs over 1,900 people. G.S. Tan explained, “It was a great pleasure and honor for Keppel AmFELS to co-host Singapore Ambassador Ashok Mirpuri’s visit to Brownsville.” Ambassador Mirpuri received a briefing regarding the importance of re-dredging the Port of Brownsville, which will allow companies such as Keppel AmFELS to service the next generation of rigs.
Congressman Vela then gave the Ambassador a tour of Brownsville, which included the University of Texas at Brownsville and the border wall.
On Sunday morning, Congressman Vela introduced Ambassador Mirpuri to a traditional South Texas breakfast of chorizo and machacado at the Toddle Inn.
“It was an honor to have Ambassador Mirpuri visit Brownsville and see that there is more to Texas than Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio,” said Rep Vela. “Showcasing all that Brownsville has to offer is critical to solving South Texas’ high unemployment rate. Brownsville and Singapore share a special relationship as the largest private employer in the city is Singapore-based Keppel AmFELS, which has been part of the Brownsville community since 1990. Attracting additional businesses to Brownsville is vital to strengthening our local economy.”
"My trip to Brownsville at the suggestion of Congressman Filemon Vela was to support the close relationship that Keppel AmFELS has with the community in the region,” said Ambassador Mirpuri. “Keppel AmFELS is one of Singapore's most innovative companies, and their presence in Brownsville is a showcase of the close relationship that Singapore has with the city, and the United States in general. Our two countries share a close and mutually beneficial relationship that is very broad-based. I appreciated my time in Brownsville and the warmth with which I was received by Congressman Vela and the whole community. I look forward to an opportunity to visit again."
