11:29:32 AM | 11/13/2020
Before we begin, I wish to express that our sincere thoughts and prayers are with the many families and business communities in ASEAN who are being seriously affected by the Covid-19pandemic, violent storms, floods and landslides. In the Philippines and central Vietnam, at this very moment, thousands of people are mobilising to fight against yet another terrible storm: Typhoon Vamco.
ASEAN and the global economy are at an historic turning point. The Covid-19 pandemic is one of several occurrences that make this a time of global reckoning. Covid-19, climate change, trade disputes, digital transformation, the 4th industrial revolution, and global integration have presented humankind with unprecedented opportunities and difficult challenges: opportunities for changes and challenges for sustainable development.
Can there be a silver lining in this stormy time? The Covid-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc, and in many parts of the world the numbers of people infected and dying are increasing rapidly. Most countries are descending into economic depression. This global health and economic crisis requirestrans-border solutions. Governments, people, and business communities must come together to deal with a double dilemma: how to manage the worsening public health threat and at the same time stimulate economic growth. Never before in recent history has partnership between the public and private sectors become such a matter of necessity, if we are to overcome these challenges. And yet, never before in recent history has there been a better opportunity to listen to, contribute to, and learn from important leaders as the world community contemplates the impacts and opportunities before us.
The theme of this ASEAN Business and Investment Summit is ‘Digital ASEAN: Sustainable and Inclusive’. We will discuss global investments in the environment, social development, and governance (ESG) in the ASEAN economies. We will share and reaffirm our commitments to promote digital platforms to stimulate sustainable economic and inclusive social growth in these extremely challenging times.
In addition to the social protection response to the Covid-19, we propose that governments focus their economic support packages on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), youth-led and women-owned businesses, and start-ups. These groups of entrepreneurs suffer the most and yet they generatehundreds of millions of jobs for ASEAN citizens. They are the beacon of hope for our digital economies and the sustainable and inclusive growth model.
Support measures must be immediately executed in the service sectors of aviation, tourism and hospitality. These sectors experience temporary difficulty but promise a quick recovery in the post-pandemic period.
It is our hope that global and regional integration continue to intensify, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, and that ASEAN can be the heart of integration in the regional economy. Earlier this year, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and ASEAN Business Advisory Council established the ASEAN Entrepreneurship Network. This is one concrete example to promote the ASEAN start-up community. We hope the network receives your enthusiastic support from both ASEAN countries and the Dialogue Partner countries. Another example is the Opening of the ASEAN High Tech Logistics Supply at the Vinh Phuc Inland Clearance Depot Logistics Centre, which we will observe tomorrow.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc,
You are with us this morning for the ASEAN-BIS Opening Session. It is a source of support and inspiration for our ASEAN business community who are courageously sailing through these stormy seas to control Covid-19 and to restore the economy of our region.
Thank you Mr Prime Minister! Thank you everyone for your kind attention!
Dr Vu Tien Loc, Chair of The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)
Source: Vietnam Business Forum
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