Singapore, Australia begin talks on digital economy pact hinh anh 1Singaporean Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing (L) and Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham (Photo: www.straitstimes.com)
 
Singapore (VNA) – Singapore and Australia have recently started negotiations on a digital economy pact, announced Singaporean Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing and Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham on October 14.

The officials made the announcement on the launch of talks on the sidelines of the latest ministerial meeting for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership trade agreement in Bangkok.

Speaking at the event, Chan Chun Sing underlined that the digital economy agreement will not only drive greater connectivity and closer cooperation between the two traditional partners, but also open a huge market with new opportunities for the countries’ entrepreneurs and investors.

For his part, Birmingham affirmed that the deal will expand the scope of bilateral cooperation and increase the efficiency of doing business.

The Singapore - Australia Digital Economy Agreement was first announced this June by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison.

In addition, Singapore recently launched talks with Chile and New Zealand on the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) to bolster trilateral cooperation in electronic invoicing and identification, and artificial intelligence, among others.

The digital economy in Southeast Asia currently values at about 100 billion USD and is projected to triple by 2025./.
VNA