Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien is leading a Vietnamese delegation to the 55th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM-55) which officially opened in Semarang, Indonesia, on August 19, VNA reported.

The Vietnamese representative gave comments on issues related to intra-ASEAN economic cooperation such as preparations for the signing of the second Protocol amending the agreement on the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), and preparations for the launch of negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework, thereby demonstrating Vietnam's strong commitment to regional economic integration and helping maintain its active role in activities that create a driving force for regional and global economic growth, promote post-Covid-19 economic recovery, and strengthen regional supply chains.

Heads of delegations to 55th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting. Photo: ASEAN

At the meeting, participating ministers shared information and updated the implementation of Indonesia's prioritized economic cooperation initiatives in its ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2023, and important tasks of the ASEAN Economic Community such as the ASEAN Strategy for Carbon Neutrality, preparations to launch negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework, implementation and upgrade of the ATIGA as well as preparations for consultations between economic ministers of ASEAN member states and their partners.

They also exchanged views on recommendations by the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration related to the building of the post-2025 ASEAN Economic Community vision and reviewed preparations for the upcoming ASEAN Summit and related summits.

In addition, the ministers also discussed economic cooperation activities between ASEAN and dialogue partners such as the US, China, the European Union, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, Russia, Canada, and the UK, along with the implementation of free trade agreements (FTAs) between ASEAN and partner countries, including the upgrade of the ASEAN-China FTA, negotiations on an FTA between ASEAN and Canada, and the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

On the sidelines of the meeting, the ministers discussed with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC) the council’s recommendations and priorities related to promoting the use of electric vehicles in the region, strengthening regional trade and investment integration, facilitating collaboration activities on sustainable development, and maintaining health measures to respond to epidemics.

As planned, this meeting will be followed by a series of Economic Ministerial Consultations between ASEAN and its dialogue partners scheduled for August 20-22.

Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam Nguyen Hong Dien had a meeting and worked with the Indonesian Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasan.

On the afternoon of August 19, on the sidelines of the AEM-55, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien had a meeting and worked with the Indonesian Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasan.

Accompanying Minister Dien were representatives of the leaders of the Asia-Africa Market Department, the Department of Trade and Multilateral Policy, and the Office of the Inter-sectoral Steering Committee for International Integration.

Earlier, the Vietnamese delegation attended the 15th Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Vietnam Economic Ministers' Meeting (CLMV EMM 15).

Initiated by Vietnam, the CLMV EMM mechanism was established in August 2010 with an aim to further nurture economic and trade relations among the CLMV countries, and closer coordination at regional, sub-regional, and international forums; fully leverage the potential of each country, narrow the development gap between the four CLMV nations and the rest of the ASEAN region and the world; and expedite the implementation of agreements reached at the CLMV Summits.

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