MIFER Union Minister participates in ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meetings with Dialogue Partners

A delegation led by Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations Myanmar’s AEM Dr Kan Zaw participated in the meetings between AEM and Dialogue Partners such as India, Russia, the Republic of Korea, China, Plus Three, EAS, Hong Kong (China), Canada, Japan, EU, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, the Inaugural RCEP Ministers’ Meeting and the 14th CLMV Economic Ministers’ Meeting, which were held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from 16 to 18 September 2022.
The meetings were attended by Economic Ministers from ASEAN Member States, China, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, Hong Kong (China), the United States, Russia, the EU, Canada and their representatives, the ASEAN Secretary-General and officials from the ASEAN secretariat. The meetings were co-chaired by Mr Pan Sorasak, Minister for the Ministry of Commerce, Cambodia, and the Economic Ministers from the respective dialogue partners.
The 19th AEM-India Consultation commenced at 8:30 am on 16 September 2022 and the ministers endorsed the Scope of the Review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). To review the AITIGA, the meeting activated the AITIGA Joint Committee.
The 11th AEM-Russia Consultation was held at 10:45 am and the meeting discussed the progress in the implementation of the ASEAN-Russia Trade and Investment Work Programme 2021-2025 and the progress of activities about the Programme of Cooperation (PoC) under the implementation of the MOU between ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) on Economic Cooperation.
In the afternoon, the 19th AEM-ROK Consultation was convened. At the meeting, the ministers discussed the progress of the implementation of the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA), the progress of the Joint Review Study of the AKFTA, the Digital Trade Research and ASEAN-Korea economic cooperation.
Afterwards, the 14th CLMV Economic Ministers’ Meeting was held. In the meeting, the ministers discussed the matters on the implementation of the CLMV Action Plan (2021-2022) and endorsed the guiding principles for the CLMV Action Plan, the subsequent CLMV Action Plan (2023-2024) and the Implementation Plan of the Framework for CLMV Development.
On 17 September 2022, the 21st AEM-China Consultation commenced at 9:00 am. The ministers discussed the implementation of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) and endorsed the Joint Feasibility Study Report which includes the other areas identified for possible inclusion in further enhancing the ACFTA and the “Joint Ministerial Statement by ASEAN and China on Cooperation for Post-COVID Economic Recovery”. In addition, the ministers discussed the “Work Programme on Further Deepening ASEAN-China Trade and Economic Cooperation (2022-2026)”.
The 24th AEM Plus Three Consultation commenced at 10:45 am and the ministers noted the progress of implementation of the ASEAN Plus Three Economic Cooperation Work Programme 2021-2022 and ASEAN Plus Three Plan of Action on Mitigating the Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The ministers endorsed the ASEAN Plus Three Economic Cooperation Work Programme 2023-2024.
In the afternoon, the 10th EAS-EMM Consultation was held. At the meeting, the Ministers exchanged views on the outcomes of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference and how the EAS participating countries can collectively take action to mitigate the impact of the regional and global economic challenges. And then, the ministers noted the ERIA’s paper on “East Asia Post Pandemic – An Integrative, Innovative, Inclusive, and Sustainable Region through Digitalization”.
During the 6th AEM-Hong Kong Consultation, the ministers discussed matters on the implementation of the ASEAN-Hong Kong (China) Free Trade Agreement (AHKFTA), ASEAN-Hong Kong (China) Investment Agreement (AHKIA) and economic and technical cooperation. They welcomed the launch of the Business Guidebook to Increasing the Trade Competitiveness Using the AHKFTA.
In the evening, the 11th AEM-Canada Consultation was held. In the meeting, the Ministers discussed the progress made on the implementation of the Work Plan (2021-2025) to implement the ASEAN-Canada Joint Declaration on Trade and Investment (JDTI) and the report on the progress of the ASEAN Canada Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
The Inaugural RCEP Ministers’ Meeting started at 7:00 pm and the ministers exchanged views on the experience in the utilization and implementation of the RCEP Agreement after it entered into force. The ministers discussed matters relating to the progress of the work of the RCEP Joint Committee, the establishment of the subsidiary bodies under the supervision of the RCEP Joint Committee and the establishment of the RCEP Secretariat.
On 18 September 2022, the 28th AEM-METI Consultation took place at 9:00 am. In the meeting, the ministers welcomed the entry into force of the First Protocol to Amend the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) and discussed the progress of the ASEAN-Japan 10-year Strategic Economic Partnership Cooperation Roadmap and the proposal on “Strengthening ASEAN-Japan Economic Relationship toward ASEAN-Japan 50th Anniversary in 2023”.
Afterwards, the 18th AEM-EU Consultation was held at 10:45 am. At the meeting, the ministers endorsed the ASEAN–EU Trade and Investment Work Programme (2022–2023). Noting that a future ASEAN-EU Free Trade Agreement is a common long-term objective, the ministers decided to intensify engagement on trade and economic issues by pursuing other avenues in the short to medium term.
The AEM-USTR Consultation was held at 3:45 pm. At the meeting, the minister noted the progress of the implementation of the 2021-2022 ASEAN-US TIFA and E3 Work Plan and endorsed the 2022-2023 ASEAN-US TIFA and E3 Work Plan.
Afterwards, the 27th AEM-CER Consultation was also held at 5:30 pm. At the meeting, the ministers exchanged views on the progress of upgrade negotiations of the Second Protocol to Amend the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area and the outcomes of the AANZFTA Economic Cooperation Support Programme (AECSP).
During the meetings, the Union minister discussed Myanmar’s endeavours in economic cooperation with the dialogue partners and future plans, the responses to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the progress of economic recovery in Myanmar. These meetings are the first in-person meetings between AEM and Dialogue Partners since the outbreak of COVID-19 began.
Together with the Union minister, Dr Marlar Myo Nyunt, Myanmar SEOM Lead, Director-General of the Foreign Economic Relations Department and responsible officials also joined the meetings. After attending the meetings, the Union minister and delegates arrived on the evening of 19 and 20 September respectively. — MNA