ASEAN-BAC: Synergy Of The Government-Swasta Strengthens ASEAN Economic Integration

Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry/Chairman of ASEAN-BAC Arsjad Rasjid (ANTARA)

The synergy between the government and the private sector is the key to strengthening regional economic integration, according to the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN Business Advisory Council/ASEAN-BAC).

"ASEAN-BAC will submit input and recommendations to leaders in an effort to strengthen economic integration and increase ease of running a business in ASEAN," said ASEAN-BAC Chairman Arsjad Rasjid, who is also Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in Jakarta, Sunday, quoted by Antara.

He said the effort would be the focus of discussing the interface meeting of ASEAN leaders with ASEAN-BAC members at the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo on 9-11 May 2023.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Teuku Faizasyah said that the interface meeting to be chaired by Indonesian President Joko Widodo was an important event.

"The government and the private sector must jointly face various challenges and uncertainties, both in the region and at the global level," he said.

Indonesia as Chair of the ASEAN-BAC 2023 will carry a number of priorities, including digital transformation, sustainable development, health and food security, as well as trade and investment facilitation.

Through this priority issue, several legacy projects will be encouraged to be implemented in ASEAN, namely ASEAN QR Code, Marketplace Lending Platform, Wiki Entrepreneur, ASEAN Net Zero Hub, Carbon Center for Excellence, Inclusive Closed-Loop for Agricultural Product, ASEAN One Shot Campaign, and ASEAN Business Entity.

The entire priority and legacy project is promoted to strengthen ASEAN centrality, as well as encourage innovation and build inclusiveness in the region.

"This is in line with the vision and spirit of Indonesia's chairmanship for ASEAN, namely making ASEAN a center of growth," said Faizasyah.

The series of the 42nd ASEAN 2023 Summit will be attended by eight member state leaders, ASEAN Secretary General and Timor Leste Prime Minister, to discuss a number of issues and interests with ASEAN.