Given the risks and uncertainties facing the global economy, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed the urgent need for ASEAN to expand the intra market to promote recovery and sustainable development in his remarks at the opening session of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia on May 10.
He called for efforts in negotiations to advance the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement and to concertedly and drastically roll out projects on regional connectivity in terms of institutions, infrastructure, and people, thus creating quality changes in the investment, business, and tourism environments.
The Prime Minister also suggested that ASEAN step up cooperation in the digital economy, digital government, and the circular economy in tandem with electricity connectivity and renewable energy development, quickly set long-term strategies on high-quality human resources training, and approve Mutual Recognition Arrangements in certain sectors and consider their application elsewhere.
He highlighted three core factors in ASEAN’s characteristics, values, vitality, and reputation: maintaining independence and strategic self-reliance, turning itself into a growth epicenter, and better adapting to external shocks.
He also emphasized that strengthening solidarity and unity should be a key task for an independent, self-resilient ASEAN.
With a spirit of taking people as the growth center in ASEAN Community building, the bloc should work to narrow its development gaps, especially in remote areas and sub-regions, he said.
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