Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh said at the 29th ASEAN Economic Ministers Retreat in Magelang, Indonesia, that Vietnam called on ASEAN countries to promote economic integration through prioritizing the negotiation to upgrade the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) to ensure that, after being upgraded, the agreement is modern, forward-looking and responsive to the new regional and global situation.
ASEAN economic ministers approved seven priority economic cooperation initiatives of Indonesia, focusing on three main orientations including reconstructing regional growth through connecting markets and improving competitiveness; speeding up digital transformation and engaging in an inclusive digital economy, and promoting sustainable economic growth for a sustainable future.
They also agreed on annual priorities for 2023 in the economic channel, focusing on trade in goods, trade in services, investment, and facilitating the intra-regional movement of skilled workers and business visitors, competition, and consumer protection.
Indonesian Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan told a press conference ahead of the ASEAN Economic Ministers Retreat: “Ministers agree to support priorities and its legacy program of ASEAN Advisory Council. Ministers endorse seven Indonesia’s economic deliveries for 2023. Ministers task the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) Trade Negotiation Committee to intensify the negotiations and report the progress.”