Trade Minister Zulhas: Collaboration Is The Key To Increasing Trade In ASEAN

The Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasan, at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit meeting in Jakarta, Sunday, September 3, 2023. (Doc. Ministry of Trade)

JAKARTA - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said collaboration is the key to strengthening cooperation in the ASEAN region. He said collaboration also encourages ASEAN as a center of economic, political and socio-cultural growth.

"I believe under the theme 'ASEAN Centrality: Innovating Towards Greater Inclusiveness', the chairmanship of ASEAN-BAC in 2023 has given an inclusive spirit to unite business communities in the region," he said in a speech at the 2023 ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) held in Jakarta, Sunday, September 3.

"This is in line with the theme of Indonesian Chairship in ASEAN in 2023, namely 'ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth'," he continued.

Zulhas, as Zulkifli Hasan is familiarly called, said there are three things to improve trading performance in ASEAN. First, improve the ASEAN trade agreement to ensure it remains relevant, modern and more responsive to regional and global developments.

Second, he continued, reviewing and extending the ASEAN + 1 trade agreement from the start. Also, exploring new free trade agreements with strategic partners.

"Finally, we also need to start negotiating digital economic framework agreements for this year," he said.

Zulhas hopes that the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) 2023 meeting can produce strategic recommendations to increase economic growth in the region and globally.

"This meeting is one of many ways to increase cooperation between the government and the business world," he said.

Also attending this event was the Secretary General of ASEAN, Kao Kim Hourn; Director General of International Trade Negotiations, Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono; and Special Staff of the Minister of Trade for International Trade Agreements, Bara Khrishna Hasibuan.