ASEAN+3 economic ministers approve 5 new projects
According to a joint media statement released at the end of the meeting, the approved projects are those on information and communication technology cooperation towards co-prosperity in East Asia; ASEAN+3 website for customs information exchange; ASEAN+3 logistics cooperation for future trade facilitation; ASEAN+3 cooperation for internationally comparable statistics; and an agricultural technology and management training programme for ASEAN countries.
The ministers also noted the progress of the implementation of economic cooperation projects. These projects cover a wide range of areas, including information technology, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), standards and quality conformance, environment, and logistics management.
The ministers had extensive discussions on measures to move forward ASEAN+3 economic cooperation. They took note of Japans proposal to establish an Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and requested Japan to discuss this proposal further with the ASEAN secretariat.
The ministers also took note of the proposal of Japan for a Track II study on a possible Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA) comprising of ASEAN members, Australia, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and New Zealand.
Regarding the proposed East Asia Free Trade Area (EAFTA), the ASEAN ministers reiterated the need to expeditiously conclude ASEAN+1 Free Trade Areas (FTAs) and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership (CEP) as the foundation for deeper regional integration.(VNA)
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