54th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings held

a delegation led by Myanmar AEM Lead, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations Dr Kan Zaw participated in the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings which were held in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
The opening ceremony for the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings was conducted at 8 am local time in Cambodia. At the ceremony, Prime Minister of Cambodia Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen delivered opening speech and Mr Pan Sorasak, Minister for Commerce of Cambodia gave welcoming speech. Before the ceremony, the Prime Minister of Cambodia met AESAN Economic Ministers and Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations also joined the session.
After the opening ceremony, the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings continued. The 36th ASEAN Free Trade Area Council Meeting commenced at 10 am local time in Cambodia. At the meeting, the Ministers discussed the progress of the implementation of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and provided necessary guidance on the preparations for the ATIGA Upgrading Negotiations for further expanding regional trade cooperation. In addition, the Ministers encouraged all member states to fully issue e-Form D through the ASEAN Single Window System.
During the meeting, Union Minister Dr Kan Zaw discussed the matters pertaining to Myanmar’s implementation status for the commitments under the ASEAN Free Trade Area, national Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programmes and the custom integration process.
At the ASEAN Investment Area Council Meeting, the Ministers discussed the implementation of the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement and, welcomed the launch of the ASEAN Investment Report (AIR) (2022). In addition, the Ministers noted the report of the Senior Official to the ASEAN Investment Area Council Meeting and preparations for the ASEAN Investment Roadshow which will be conducted during the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) 2022. The Ministers endorsed the ASEAN Investment Peer Review Report 2022 at the Meeting.
At the Meeting, the Union Minister underscored the preparations for investment liberalization during the Covid-19 pandemic and the promotion of potential investment in the post-pandemic period.
In the afternoon, the Union Minister joined the ASEAN Economic Ministers and ASEAN Business Advisory Council Consultations which were attended by the ASEAN Economic Ministers and the members of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC) from the ASEAN Member States. The ASEAN Business Advisory Council briefed the Meeting on the progress of the ABAC’s 2022 activities. The Ministers provided the necessary guidance for strengthening private sector engagement in future economic cooperation.
In the evening, Union Minister Dr Kan Zaw attended the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting. At the meeting, the Ministers noted the progress of the Priority Economic Deliverables (PED) for Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2022. Afterwards, the Ministers provided the policy recommendations, and guidance on the findings of the practical study titled “Enhancing Container Circulation to Support Maritime Transportation of Selected ASEAN Member States”. In addition, the Ministers announced the launch of negotiations for the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Competition. During the Meeting, the Union Minister highlighted Myanmar’s close cooperation in the implementation of the PED.
The working dinner for the 54th AEM Meeting was held on 13 September 2022. At the dinner, the Ministers exchanged views on the post-pandemic recovery efforts of each member state and the implementation status of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework.
The Meetings were chaired by Mr Sok Chenda Sophea, Minister attached to the Prime Minister, Secretary-General of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), Mr Pan Sorasak, Minister for Commerce of Cambodia and Mr Vongsey Vissoth, Minister attached to the Prime Minister, Permanent Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and, attended by ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM), ASEAN Free Trade Area Council Ministers, ASEAN Investment Area Council Ministers, Senior Economic Officials (SEOM), ASEAN Business Advisory Council Members, Secretary-General of the ASEAN and representatives. The Meetings were joined by Dr Marlar Myo Nyunt, Myanmar SEOM Lead, the director-general of the Foreign Economic Relations Department and responsible persons together with the Union Minister.
The 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and related Meetings will continue until 18 September 2022. — MNA