Jabar Ekspres – Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan has called on ASEAN countries to promote the spirit of togetherness and collaborate to develop real and concrete solutions to strengthen intra-ASEAN trade.
“This meeting is an important momentum to strengthen intra-ASEAN trade. I hope we can collaborate to prioritize the spirit of togetherness and provide clear direction and develop real and concrete solutions,” Zulkifli Hasan said when opening the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) Council Meeting as a series of the 55th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting in Semarang, Central Java, Saturday.
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Zulhas said Indonesia, as Chair of ASEAN in 2023, expects ASEAN countries to play an active role in pushing various regional and global agendas. ASEAN countries are also expected to develop an adaptive, responsive, and highly competitive region as the center of world economic growth.
“This effort must also be supported by our joint efforts to achieve fair, inclusive and sustainable regional economic growth,” Zulhas said.
On that occasion, in addition to delegations from the trade ministers of the 10 ASEAN member countries, the Minister of Trade and Industry of Timor Leste Philip Nino Pereira was also present as an observer.
Filipus said that Timor Leste had observed and noted ASEAN’s commitment to overcome immediate challenges and provide recovery initiatives after the COVID-19 pandemic. This was done by ASEAN to encourage cooperation in the digital economy, circular economy, and green economy, as well as strengthen food security and resilient supply chains to anticipate the impact of the crisis.
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“We are fully committed to the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, its principles and objectives, guidelines as an additional pillar of regional economic cooperation and integration based to address ongoing and emerging challenges,” he said.