Myanmar delegation led by H.E. Dr. Kan Zaw, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations, attended the 30thASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat Meeting which was held in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, on 8-9 March 2024.
The Union Minister joined the Welcome Dinner of the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat Meeting held on the evening of March 8. The Union Minister, then, attended the 30th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat Meeting held on March 9. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Malaithong Kommasith, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Lao PDR and attended by the Economic Ministers from ASEAN and Timor-Leste, Senior Economic Officials (SEOMs) and representatives from ASEAN member countries, the members of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, ASEAN Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Economic Community and the officials.
As the first part of the Meeting, the ASEAN Economic Ministers interface with ASEAN Business Advisory Council. At the Meeting, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council presented the priorities in 2024 and recommendations for strengthening regional economic integration and public-private cooperation.
In the second part of the Meeting, the ASEAN Economic Ministers discussed and gave the guidance on the activities to be carried out under the ASEAN economic pillar according to the outcomes from the 43rd ASEAN Summits, Lao PDR’s Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) for 2024, AEC Annual Priorities for 2024, issues of signing the ASEAN economic agreements, progress of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement upgrade negotiation, progress of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) Negotiations, progress in the implementation of initiatives on sustainability under the ASEAN Economic Community, progress of the implementation of the AEC Blueprint 2025 and the development of the economic components of post-2025 AEC, study on New and Emerging Issues in ASEAN Plus One FTAs, progress of the ACFTA 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations and the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. In addition, during the meeting, the Ministers endorsed the ASEAN Services Facilitation Framework (ASFF).
During the meetings, Union Minister endorsed Lao PDR’s Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) for 2024 together with the other ASEAN Economic Ministers and discussed that these priorities are suitable to be implemented for the current time; it is important to complete and implement this year; it is necessary to consider way to solve the effects that may be encountered in carrying out these priorities. He also expressed the need to speed up the negotiations for the completion of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (3.0) upgrade negotiations by 2024. Regarding the establishment of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Cooperation (RCEP) Support Unit, Union Minister highlighted that Myanmar is working with the member countries, and as the member countries, it is crucial to maintain the principles of equality, and mutual obligation and ASEAN centrality.
U Aung Ko, Ambassador of Myanmar to the Lao PDR, Dr. Marlar Myo Nyunt, the ASEAN Senior Economic Official of Myanmar, and the officials also attended the Meeting. The Preparatory Meeting of the Senior Economic Officials for the 30th AEM Retreat was held on 8 March 2024 and Director General of the Foreign Economic Relations Department who is the ASEAN Senior Economic Official of Myanmar, and officials participated the Meeting.
It was reported that the meeting focused on Digital Economy, Circular Economy, Carbon Neutrality, Blue Economy, supply chain for MSMEs, Trade and Investment Facilitation, regional economic development and economic integration activities.
