Indonesian President Joko Widodo delivers a speech at the opening of the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit at the State Palace in Jakarta on September 1st, 2023). (Photo: antaranews.com) Jakarta (VNA) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is the mostattractive destination for foreign investors, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said at the ASEAN Business and Invetment Summit (ABIS 2023) in Jakarta on September 1.
In 2022, 17% of the globalforeign direct investment (FDI) went to the bloc, according to the President.
The bloc’s economic growthis forecast to be the highest in the world in 2024, reaching 4.5% year-on-year, he said, adding that about 65 % of ASEAN’s population will jointhe middle class by 2030.
He said all factors will help ASEAN become an “epicentrum growth” with “extraodinarytactical strategies” amidst global uncertainties, while emphasising the need for solid collaboration in ASEAN that prioritises mutual interests,both in relations between countries, between entrepreneurs, and betweencommunities.
The President expressed his hope that the ASEAN BusinessAdvisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) will play a bigger role in coming upwith and implementing tactical strategies that can spur this cross-stakeholdercollaboration.
It is also expected that the ASEAN Incorporatedconcept introduced by ASEAN-BAC will bridge communication to realize a mutuallybeneficial ecosystem, increase competitiveness, and improve ASEAN's prosperity,he said.
The ABIS, hosted by the Indonesian Chamberof Commerce and Industry (Kadin), is one of two important sidelines events of the 43rd ASEAN Summit./.
