Jakarta (VNA) – As chair of ASEAN, Indonesia targetsto push the bloc’s economic growth to 4.3% this year.
In 2021, the growth rate was 3.98% while the global growthrate was 2.6%, which demonstrates the ASEAN economy's resilience to shocks, saidDirector of ASEAN Economic Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Berlianto Situngkir.
According to Berlianto, ASEAN has become the fifth economicpower among developed countries, with a total GDP of 3.3 trillion USD and apopulation of over 650 million, placing it third after China and India.Berlianto highlighted four main elements necessary for sustained economicgrowth in ASEAN: a strong health architecture, food security, energy resiliencetoward clean and renewable economic transition, and financial stability in theregion to anticipate external shocks.
To support the theme of 'Epicentrum of Growth', ASEAN needsto strengthen its presence in creating stability and peace in the region, notonly in ASEAN but also in the Indo-Pacific region, he added.
On the same day, Indonesia's Minister of Tourism and CreativeEconomy Sandiaga Uno said that at the 42nd ASEAN Summit set to take place inLabuan Bajo from May 9-11, countries will discuss measures promoting economy,healthcare, developing electric vehicle ecosystem, financial connectivitysolutions in the region. In addition, the conference series will alsocontribute to promoting Indonesia's economic activities through tourism andservices./.
