On 6 August 2016, the Ministerial Roundtable, one of the activities of the 13th ASEAN Leadership Forum, was held in Vientiane. The theme of this roundtable was “Leading ASEAN Towards 2025--Making ASEAN Community Work”. Minister of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR, Khemmani Pholsena, Minister of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of Commerce of Myanmar, Than Myint, Minister of Commerce of Cambodia, Pan Sorasak and Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam, Nquyen Cam Tu, delivered remarks. Former ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong moderated the roundtable. CEO of Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) of Malaysia, Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Gregory So, officials of governments of ASEAN countries, Ambassadors to Lao PDR, and representatives of international organizations and business, totaling nearly 200 people attended this activity.
Minister Khemmani introduced the abundant accomplishments of the 48th Conference of ASEAN Ministers of Economy, and said that the conference discussed the implementation of the 2025 Vision, and consensus had been reached on outcome documents related to trade facilitation, small and medium enterprises, the development of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam (CLMV), and food safety, etc., for submission to ASEAN Series Summits in September 2016 for approval. She believed these documents would serve as a road map for the development of ASEAN in 10 years, thus contributing to the formation of a single market and a manufacturing base for the narrowing of the gap of development. ASEAN would continue to commit to building ASEAN into more structurally integrative, competitive, active and people-oriented. He noted that ASEAN had consulted with Hong Kong during the Conference of Ministers of Economy and both sides agreed that the negotiation of free trade would be concluded by the end of 2016.
Minister Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed said it was encouraging that ASEAN had made positive progress recently. The Conference of ASEAN Ministers of Economy this year focused particularly on topics of small and medium enterprises and the realization of inclusive growth. ASEAN would enhance economic cooperation with dialogue partners to promote development of economic society and improve people’s livelihood.
Minister Than Myint introduced the economic policy and the “people-oriented” governance philosophy of the new administration of Myanmar, saying that Myanmar encouraged ASEAN to cooperate with more dialogue partners, and Myanmar would further promote integration of ASEAN to achieve mutual benefits with regards to the establishment of ASEAN Community as a new opportunity.
Minister of Commerce of Cambodia Pan Sorasak said that Cambodia had maintained overall peace and stability, with a up to 7.7% annual economic growth on average. Cambodia was prepared for the establishment of ASEAN Community. As an open economic entity, Cambodia welcomed foreign capital, and relevant special economic zones had offered favorable policies to attract investment. Cambodia would further reduce tariff, and improve business environment to benefit the investors.
Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Philippines said that the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 implied that the establishment of ASEAN would be peaceful, stable, flexible, and responsive to challenges. ASEAN members should work hard together and address challenges effectively. ASEAN members shouldered responsibilities to lend more help and support to private companies and make the development benefit the people.
Deputy Minister Nquyen Cam Tu emphasized that the importance of human resources and technological innovation, and expected ASEAN members to make more efforts in these areas.
Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping attended the roundtable, and communicated with other guests. She outlined the function and work of ACC, and exchanged views on promoting ASEAN-China cooperation.