Asean should be more assertive – Pascual

Commerce Minister Alfredo Pascual urged Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states to take advantage of the region’s growing influence and play a more active role.

“Asean must be more assertive not only in stimulating economic activity in the region, but also in shaping the rules and discipline in new areas of trade and investment towards a more inclusive market and a freer flow of goods, services and investment,” Pascual said during the conference. . retreat in Magelang, Indonesia on ASEAN Issues: The Epicenter of Growth.

He also emphasized the need to remain united and should serve as a good example of how the region can organize functional regional economic integration despite differences in the further use of ASEAN sectors such as manufacturing, creative industries, digital economy and others.

“Thanks to the timely completion of preparations for the development of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Digital Economy,” Pascual said, highlighting the potential benefits of the digital economy.

“It is important that we maintain this accelerated growth momentum and ensure that the digital economy remains at the forefront of ASEAN priorities,” he added.

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The Minister of Commerce also expressed full support for Indonesia’s key strategic areas such as reconstruction and restructuring, digital economy and resilience, which “fully embody and embody a comprehensive strategy to transform the region into a forward-looking, connected, inclusive and sustainable ASEAN.” “

Meanwhile, the ASEAN Economy Ministers also welcomed the Philippine Senate’s agreement to ratify the Comprehensive Regional Economic Partnership Agreement and stressed the importance of ensuring that the said agreement is fully implemented.