ASEAN and Japan have agreed to support each other in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on easing its impact, enhancing economic flexibility, promoting export and solving problems faced by small- and medium-sized enterprises, according to the Thai Ministry of Commerce.
Director-General of Department of Trade Negotiations Auramon Supthaweethum (Photo: )
Bangkok (VNA) – ASEANand Japan have agreed to support each other in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on easing itsimpact, enhancing economic flexibility, promoting export and solving problemsfaced by small- and medium-sized enterprises, according to the Thai Ministry ofCommerce.
Local media quoted Director-General of Departmentof Trade Negotiations Auramon Supthaweethum as saying that ASEAN economic ministers and representatives from Japanissued a notice on cooperation on April 22.
Theyaimed to keep their markets open and adjust to regional and global demands byproviding exports to stabilise market conditions while not obstructingtransport of core commodities such as food, consumer products, medicines andmedical equipment, she said.
To aid the recovery of micro, small andmedium businesses, the two sides will lever digital technologyadvantages to boost the region’s status as a trade and investment hub, she added.
Japan became ASEAN’s fourth largest trade partner following the ASEAN-JapanComprehensive Economic Partnership agreement in 2008. In 2019, trade betweenthe two sides was worth over 214 billion USD./.
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Director-General of Department of Trade Negotiations Auramon Supthaweethum (Photo: ) 
