Cambodian PM urges ASEAN to take advantages of COVID-19-related opportunities
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said that the COVID-19 pandemic has created good opportunities for ASEAN countries to boost regional trade at the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), which took place on June 26 within the framework of the 36th ASEAN Summit.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen saidthat the COVID-19 pandemic has created good opportunities for ASEAN countriesto boost regional trade at the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives ofASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), which took place on June 26 withinthe framework of the 36th ASEAN Summit.
The pandemic has once again reminded the bloc that ASEANstill has shortcomings and heavily relied on external factors, he said.
With the emerging trends brought by COVID-19, the shift ofglobal trade and supply chains, ASEAN must be well-prepared to earn maximumbenefits from this, he stated.
Hun Sen reiterated that the engagement of private sector isindispensable for the development of the ASEAN Community, particularly amid theCOVID-19.
He noted the private sector must not solely rely on thegovernment and must navigate and mitigate the impacts of the pandemicthemselves as well.
Chairing the meeting, PM Phuc affirmed that ASEANgovernments are committed to supporting the business community in overcomingchallenges brought about by COVID-19 so that they will soon recover, resumeservices and boost production.
He talked about obstacles facing the ASEAN businesscommunity due to the pandemic, including interrupted supply-demand chains,halted services, and weaker financial market.
Phuc stated that ASEAN governments considered the communitythe centre of growth and prosperity and the force that helps realisedevelopment goals in building the ASEAN Community.
He said their economic role has become clearer amid thepandemic when the group is affected, people’s lives and livelihoods also facedifficulties.
The 36th ASEAN Summit was hosted by Vietnam on June 26 inthe form of a video conference, with discussions focusing on the bloc’sCOVID-19 control and prevention and its future steps to build the ASEANCommunity and expand external relations./.
Vietnam has fulfilled its role as ASEAN Chair over the past six months and successfully organised the 36th ASEAN Summit, according to Deputy Foreign Minister and head of the ASEAN Senor Officials’ Meeting delegation of Laos Thongphane Savanphet.
The impressive settlement of the COVID-19 pandemic and the relatively early re-opening of its economy have given Vietnam the ability to assist other countries, including ASEAN members, said Assistant Director (ASEAN) at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs Jessica Wau.
Here is the full text of the ASEAN Declaration on Human Resources Development for the Changing World of Work, which was adopted at the teleconferenced 36th ASEAN Summit on June 26.
The following is the full text of the ASEAN Plan of Action on Strengthening ASEAN Economic Cooperation and Supply Chain Connectivity in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, which was adopted at the teleconferenced 36th ASEAN Summit on June 26.
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Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
