ASEAN promotes public-private cooperation

Arsjad Rasjid, president of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and Chairman of ASEAN-BAC (Photo: kadin.id)

Jakarta (VNA) - Cooperation between governments and the private sector is key to strengthen regional economic integration, and it will be a focus of discussions between ASEAN leaders and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) within the framework of the 42nd ASEAN Summit which will be held from May 9-11 in Indonesia.

Arsjad Rasjid, president of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and Chairman of ASEAN-BAC, said that ASEAN-BAC will provide input information and recommendations to leaders in efforts to strengthen economic integration and improve the business climate in the region.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah emphasised that it is inevitable that governments and the private sector should work together to respond to various challenges and uncertainties, both regionally and globally.

As the ASEAN-BAC 2023 Chair, Indonesia will have several priorities, including digital transformation, sustainable development, resilience in food security and health, as well as facilitating trade and investment, he added.

Besides priority issues, there will be a number of inherited projects that are encouraged to be implemented in the bloc, including QRcode ASEAN, Wiki Entrepreneur and Market Lending Platform, among others. 

All these priorities and projects will be discussed at the meeting in an attempt to strengthen ASEAN centrality, as well as promote innovation and inclusive development in the region./.