Delegates at the event (Photo: vir.com.vn)
In the joint statement, the ministersexpressed concerns over the outbreak of the acute respiratory disease caused bythe novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), which has affected the lives ofpeople as well as economies around the world.
They emphasised the “importance ofASEAN solidarity and the spirit of a cohesive and responsive ASEAN community infacing the outbreak of COVID-19 and similar challenges”.
The ministers acknowledged the currentefforts of each ASEAN member nation, ASEAN agencies and other economies incontaining the spread and impacts of COVID-19, and commended contributions ofmedical and non-medical staff in assisting people affected by the epidemic.
The ministers recognised the adverseimpacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on the economy, including the tourism,manufacturing, retail, and other service sectors, as well as the disruption ofsupply chains and the financial markets.
They emphasised the urgent need forconcerted efforts to avoid further adverse impacts in the global economybrought about by the COVID-19 outbreak.
The ministers proclaimed that countermeasurerestrictions on cross-border movements should be based on public healthconsiderations and should not unnecessarily restrict trade within the region.
They also agreed to take a collectivecourse of action to mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19 and resolved toremain committed to keeping the ASEAN market open for trade and investment aswell as increasing regional information sharing and coordination efforts inresponding to the economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak.
The actions aim to establish closerapport with industry stakeholders to reinforce confidence in Southeast Asia asa trade and investment hub and tourism destination in the region and make themost of technologies and digital trade to allow businesses, especially themicro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to continue operationsamidst the COVID-19 outbreak
Besides, the ministers also vowed tostrengthen resilience and sustainability of the supply chains through the promotionof better transparency and agility, and the implementation of the Master Planon ASEAN Connectivity 2025 (MPAC).
The ministers affirmed to enhanceASEAN economic cooperation with external partners to include initiatives aimedat strengthening regional supply chains to make them more resilient and lessvulnerable to internal and external shocks.
They highlighted the need to build onexisting trade facilitation platforms in the ASEAN, such as the ASEAN SingleWindow (ASW), to promote and support supply chain connectivity and refrain fromactions that can create unnecessary inflationary pressures or adversely impactson food security in the region, and endeavour to ensure the availability ofbasic goods and commodities.
𝐆 The ASEAN should also take measures tocontinue addressing non-tariff barriers, particularly those that impede thesmooth flow of goods and services in supply chains and refrain from imposingnew and unnecessary non-tariff measures, the joint statement noted.
