ASEAN in need of enterprises’ proactiveness, creativity: Deputy PM
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh attended the virtual ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2021 (ASEAN BIS) on October 25, saying that ASEAN is now in need of enterprises’ proactiveness and creativity to adapt to the new normal.
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh attends the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2021, held via videoconference on October 25 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham BinhMinh attended the virtual ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2021 (ASEAN BIS) on October25, saying that ASEAN is now in need of enterprises’ proactiveness andcreativity to adapt to the new normal.
In his remarks, the Deputy PM underlined thatthe pandemic control and economic recovery are dependent on not only endeavours by asingle government or country but also joint efforts by all the 10 ASEAN membersas well as partners.
He reaffirmedthe importance of the Consolidated Strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution for ASEAN and the acceleration of the Strategic and Holistic Initiative to Link ASEANResponses to Emergencies and Disasters (ASEAN SHIELD), proposed by Brunei -Chair of the bloc in 2021.
Vietnam isready to cooperate in enhancing the digital infrastructure connectivity, ensuringa digital ecosystem for all parties towards uniform and sustainable digitaldevelopment in the region, and accompanying enterprises of ASEAN and partnercountries to create the best possible conditions in terms of policies and thebusiness environment so that they can optimise and maximise business andinvestment chances in Vietnam and regional countries, Minh stated.
The Vietnamese delegation at the virtual ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2021 (Photo: VNA)
The VietnameseGovernment will strive to help enterprises conduct digital transformation,boost digital universalisation, and create conditions for promoting investmentin high technology towards green growth, he added.
The DeputyPM expressed his hope that the business community will continue joining handswith ASEAN governments to defeat the pandemic and support economic recoverysince ASEAN is now in need of their dynamism, proactiveness, and creativity toadapt to the new normal, create jobs, ensure a stable life for people, andproduce new values for society and the community.
The ASEAN BIS is held annually by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council inconjunction with the bloc’s summits. It provides an occasion for the public andprivate sectors, and representatives of governments and industries in andoutside ASEAN to meet one another. It is also a platform for connecting andpromoting initiatives on ASEAN economic cooperation and integration./.
Brunei will host the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits virtually via 11 video conferences on October 26-28 amid concerns over the unsettled COVID-19 situation across the region, informed the Brunei Prime Minister's Office on October 23.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will lead a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to attend the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits, ASEAN summits with partners and the third Mekong-Republic of Korea (RoK) Summit via videoconference from October 26-28 at the invitation of Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hasanal Bolkiah – Chair of ASEAN 2021.
Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha will promote three key agendas at the 38th and 39th ASEAN summits and related meetings on October 26-28, according to Thai Government Spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana.
ASEAN needs right now a recovery plan that serves the interests of all member states, Dr. Balaz Szantos from the Faculty of Political Science at Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University told Vietnam News Agency ahead of the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits to be hosted by Brunei on October 26 – 28.
Common vision, cooperation, and companionship are key to the revival of ASEAN member economies, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit on October 25.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh attends the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2021, held via videoconference on October 25 (Photo: VNA) 
The Vietnamese delegation at the virtual ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2021 (Photo: VNA) 
