Asean economic ministers approve 4 bills on future development
Asean Economic Ministers on Friday gave the nod to four bills pertaining to future development of the region and also acknowledged progress of the Asean Economic Community Blueprint 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said.
“The first bill is about the digital framework of Asean from 2019-2025, the second bill details the industrial revolution to 4.0 era (4IR), the third bill is about human resource development to cope with 4IR, and the fourth bill details promoting digitalisation among MSMEs (micro, small and medium-sized enterprises),” said Jurin.
The deputy PM highlighted that the meeting especially focused on the industrial revolution to 4.0 era or 4IR and tasked the Asean Secretariat to come up with a detailed strategic plan. “The meeting agreed that the 4IR should not focus only on the economic outcome,” he said. “We also have to contemplate the social, political, cultural and security impacts of the revolution.”
Jurin said that hosting the Asean Economic Ministers' Meeting is a big step for Thailand towards the forging greater cooperation among the 10 Asean countries. “This meeting will help us prepare for future changes and challenges in manufacturing industries, technology adaptation, as well as dealing with trade partners outside Asean,” he said.
As for the negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Jurin was confident that all agendas and agreements would be concluded and signed before the year-end. “RCEP essentially allows each country to expand their markets into the territories of other signing members,” he said. “This will help boost exports significantly and I am sure that all parties want this to happen as soon as possible.”