U.S. transport chief to Asia

U.S. transport chief to Asia

WASHINGTON (Reuter): Transportation Secretary Federico Pena will include Vietnam and Indonesia in a two-week trip to Asia starting on Nov. 6, his office said on Wednesday.

In addition to Vietnam, he will visit Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines in the trip designed to promote U.S. interests in aviation, aerospace and other transportation sectors.

His visit to Vietnam will be the first by a Cabinet member since U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher opened the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi on Aug. 6 and the first to highlight American business opportunities there.

"This trip is part of the administration's effort to open up new markets for American business and create more jobs at home," Pena said in a statement.