Senior economic officials from the 10-member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) convened the First Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Economic Officials on 16-17 January 2023 in Semarang, Indonesia.
The Philippines was represented by DTI-Industry Development and Trade Policy Group (DTI-IDTPG) Assistant Secretary Allan Gepty.
Under the theme ‘ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth’, Indonesia takes on the Chairmanship of ASEAN for 2023 with a focus on initiatives towards recovery, digital transformation, and sustainability of the region.
These efforts are concretized through sixteen (16) Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) that cut across the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Pillar.
According to Assistant Secretary Gepty, “ASEAN is now at the center of the global economy. As a single market and production base, economic activities have gravitated towards our region from research and development, product development, manufacturing, innovation, and even the development of creative and digital economy. That is why, ASEAN matters in this era, and it is important that we remain united and assert our strength and influence in the global economy.”
“As we implement the RCEP Agreement, upgrade existing ASEAN economic agreements, and embark on new economic trade relations with other partners, ASEAN can help shape international trade rules that works well in a region with diverse culture, legal regime, and levels of development,” Gepty added.
As country coordinator for Japan, the Philippines also spearheaded the discussion at the Special SEOM-METI Consultations on 16 January 2023 to discuss the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan economic relations this year.
Officials exchanged views on the development of the ‘Future Design and Action Plan of an Innovative Sustainable ASEAN-Japan Economic Partnership’ and the private-sector led ‘ASEAN-Japan Co-Creation Vision’ which aims to implement initiatives on supply chain resilience, MSME development, among others.
“For ASEAN and Japan, we have to ensure that our strong economic ties are further deepened and remain resilient amidst evolving economic and geo-political development,” Asec. Gepty mentioned.
The Future Design and Action Plan is envisioned to serve as the roadmap of ASEAN-Japan economic relations in the succeeding years to develop a society that is safe, prosperous, and free through fair and mutually beneficial economic co-creation based on trust.
