Jakarta –
Commerce Minister Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) stressed the importance of collaboration between the private sector and the ASEAN government to make the region a center of economic, political and socio-cultural growth. This was stated by Zulhas at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.
Zulhas said the ASEAN region’s economy is growing every year. This is reflected in the increase in trade in goods and services in ASEAN countries. He called for this performance to be maintained by implementing a number of strategies.
“We must maintain this performance by taking concrete steps. First, we must improve the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement or ATIGA (ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement). We must ensure that it remains modern and responsive to global growth and development,” he said. said during the event at Sultan Hotel, Jakarta on Sunday (9/03/2023).
Second, the ASEAN free trade agreement also needs to be improved and revised. In addition to finalizing negotiations with ASEAN partners, including Canada. Zulhas also encourages the exploration of free trade with other strategic partners.
Third, ASEAN should also negotiate a regional digital economy framework agreement, which could become the foundation for ASEAN regional economic cooperation.
“This event is a way to strengthen the collaboration between the government and the business sector. I hope that this meeting can come up with targeted recommendations to boost the economy in this region and outside the region. Let’s contribute to the advancement of trade and investment in ASEAN in the future,” he concluded.
(ily/das)
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