SEMARANG, Aug 19 — Indonesian Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan called for Asean countries to collaborate in formulating concrete solutions to strengthen intra-Asean trade at the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA) Council Meeting in Semarang, Central Java, on Saturday.
"This meeting is an important momentum to strengthen intra-Asean trade. I hope we can collaborate in prioritising the spirit of togetherness and providing a clear direction and formulating real and concrete solutions," he said, according to Antara News Agency.
The meeting is part of a series of the 55th Asean Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting and Related Meetings held from August 17 to August 22 in Semarang.
Hasan noted that Indonesia, as chair of Asean in 2023, is expecting Asean countries to play an active role in encouraging various regional and global agendas.
Asean countries are also expected to develop a region that is adaptive, responsive, and highly competitive as the world's centre of growth.
"These efforts must be supported by our joint efforts to attain just, inclusive, and sustainable regional economic growth," he remarked.
Saturday's meeting, apart from being attended by delegates and trade ministers of Asean member countries, was also attended by the Minister of Trade and Industry of Timor-Leste Filipus Nino Pereira as an observer.
Pereira stated that Timor-Leste had observed and recorded Asean's commitment to address immediate challenges and give post-Covid-19 pandemic recovery initiatives.
Those efforts were made by Asean to encourage cooperation in the digital economy, circular economy, and green economy as well as strengthen food security and a resilient supply chain to anticipate the impact of crises.
The minister expressed Timor-Leste's full commitment to Asean's free trade agreement, principles, objectives, and guidelines as additional pillars of regional-based economic cooperation and integration to address ongoing challenges and those that will emerge.
— Bernama
