The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) emphasized on Monday the importance of strengthening partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan.
During the opening session of the ASEAN-Japan Business Week held in Tokyo Japan, DTI Secretary Fred Pascual said that ASEAN and Japan’s strengths complement each other through workforce and advanced technological skills — noting that the collaboration of the nations is a potential powerhouse.
The official added that ASEAN has undergone remarkable development in the past few years and is gradually becoming an effective base of economic growth.
"We are at a pivotal moment in history, where ASEAN—an epicenter of global economic growth—, and Japan—a country renowned for its technological prowess, can join forces to redefine the future,” he said.
Pascual also encouraged everyone to support the partnership for their mutual success.
He was also attended the inaugural session to witness the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between private sectors and the government to hold activities such as to following:
- ASEAN-Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) for the Young Business Leaders Summit
- Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and JETRO Jakarta for the Indonesia-Japan Fast Track Pitch Event and Carbon Neutral Cooperation
- ASEAN-BAC and JETRO for another Carbon Neutral Cooperation
During the business week, the progress report of the ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation Vision was also presented to expand and establish a strategic plan for the ASEAN-Japan relationship.
The session was attended by the ASEAN leaders as well as their representatives from private sectors.
Since the beginning of the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (AJCEP) in December 2008, the nation has developed at a simple growth rate of 23.1% from 2008 to 2021 in which Japan remains ASEAN’s third largest business associate.
Written by Stephanie Anne Santos, DZRH News Online Intern
