Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual has called on Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member states to leverage the region's growing influence and assert a more active role.
"Asean needs to be more assertive not only in driving economic activities in the region but also in shaping rules and disciplines on emerging areas of trade and investments toward a more inclusive market and freer flow of goods, services and investments," Pascual said during a retreat in Magelang, Indonesia that had the theme of "Asean Matters: Epicentrum of Growth."
He also emphasized the need to remain united, and must serve as a good example on how the region can engineer a functional regional economic integration despite differences in further harnessing Asean's sectors such as manufacturing, creative industry, digital economy, among others.
"Through the timely completion of the preparations to develop an Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement," Pascual said as he highlighted the potential benefits of a digital economy.
"It is important that we maintain this momentum of accelerated growth, and ensure that the digital economy remains to be at the forefront of Asean's priorities," he added.
The Trade secretary also expressed his full support toward Indonesia's key strategic areas such as recovery and rebuilding, digital economy and sustainability, which "fully embody and encapsulate a comprehensive strategy to transform the region into a forward-looking, connected, inclusive and sustainable Asean."
Meanwhile, the Asean Economic Ministers also welcomed the Philippine Senate's concurrence with the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and emphasized the importance of ensuring the full implementation of the said agreement.
Source: Manila Times
March 23, 2023
