TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia and Vietnam are ready to work together to enhance regional economic cooperation and bolster ASEAN Centrality, or ASEAN as a center of growth.

The statement was conveyed by an ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN–BAC) delegation during its visit to Vietnam on March 12–14, 2023. The delegation was led by chair of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Arsjad Rasjid.

"As part of the roadshow mission to Vietnam, the ASEAN-BAC chairmanship aims to encourage Vietnam's businesses and government to participate in the five priority and eight legacy projects," Rasjid said on Wednesday.

The eight legacy projects include regional trade cooperation, sustainable development, digital transformation, food security, health security, and the newest ASEAN Business Entity, he informed.

An ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN–BAC) delegation led by chair of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Arsjad Rasjid (sixth from left, wearing brown batik shirt), during a roadshow to Vietnam on March 12–14, 2023. (ANTARA/HO/Kadin Indonesia)

The ASEAN Business Entity is seeking to strengthen investment within ASEAN by providing incentives to companies operating in the region, thereby creating an integrated business ecosystem for ASEAN countries.

During the roadshow, Rasjid and Kadin's business delegation for ASEAN-BAC met with representatives from Vietnam's Central Bank, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thu Duc City's Chair of the People's Committee, Ho Chi Minh City, Chair of Vietjet, Saigon Transportation Mechanical Corporation (SAMCO), and Chamber of Commerce.

The discussion focused on ASEAN-BAC's legacy collaborations, such as the ASEAN QR Code and Inclusive Closed Loop, as well as accelerating key sector development highlighted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, such as the development of infrastructure, renewable energy, high technology, and digital transformation.

The roadshow also produced tangible results, namely through the holding of the Indonesia-Vietnam business and trade promotion forum for the ASEAN Business Investment Summit and ASEAN Business Awards.

"This forum will serve as a platform to identify key sectors for cooperation between the two countries and promote green projects, in the hope of attracting more business interests and resulting in real partnerships," Rasjid said.

Indonesia and Vietnam, he added, have an important role to play in expanding ASEAN's position as a key hub of the global economy, given that their combined gross domestic product (GDP) exceeds 60 percent of the region's total GDP.

Vietnam's proactive participation in some ASEAN economic initiatives such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) highlights the country's commitment to strengthening economic integration and cooperation in the region, he added.

ANTARA

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