ASEAN seeks stronger economic partnerships with RoK, Russia
Economic ministers of ASEAN countries and the Republic of Korea (RoK) discussed the directions of negotiations for the upgrade of the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) during their consultation meeting in Siam Reap, Cambodia, on September 16 within the framework of the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM-54).
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien (R) at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)
Phnom Penh (VNA) – Economic ministers of ASEANcountries and the Republic of Korea (RoK) discussed the directions ofnegotiations for the upgrade of the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA)during their consultation meeting in Siam Reap, Cambodia, on September 16 withinthe framework of the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting(AEM-54).
The ministers reviewed bilateral cooperation activities overthe past time, including the Technology Advice and Solutions from Korea (TASK) programme, the initiative on setting up the ASEAN-Korea Industrial Innovation Centre (AKIIC), as well asthe conducting of a feasibility study on the establishment of a ASEAN-KoreaStandardisation Research Centre (AKSRC).
They also listened to a number of proposals and new initiatives from the ASEAN-KoreaBusiness Council (AKBC) on the strengthening of capacity for small andmedium-sized enterprises, and cooperation in industry.
At their consultation meeting, economic ministers of the ASEAN nations and Russia recognisedthe progress of the ASEAN-Russia working programme for the 2021-2025 period andthe cooperation programme between the ASEAN and the Eurasian EconomicCommission, while discussing areas of strategic economic cooperation in thefuture.
At these meetings, the Vietnamese delegation, led by Minister of Industry andTrade Nguyen Hong Dien, actively contributed ideas on the economic cooperationorientations between ASEAN and its partners in the future, bringing benefits toVietnam and ASEAN in general, and reinforcing the regional supply chains andboosting sustainable economic development amid the changing economic situationin the region and the world.
AEM-54 is being held in Siam Reap until September18./.
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Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien (R) at the meeting. (Photo: VNA) 
