ASEAN’s digital consumers rises 20% since outset of COVID-19
The number of digital consumers in ASEAN has risen by nearly 20% to more than 316 million since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Economic Community Satvinder Singh.
Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Economic Community Satvinder Singh delivers his opening remarks at the 8th ASEAN Economic Community Dialogue, themed “Promoting the Growth of the Digital Start-Up Ecosystem in ASEAN”, in Jakarta on October 5. (Photo: VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – The number of digital consumers in ASEAN has risen by nearly20% to more than 316 million since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic,according to Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Economic CommunitySatvinder Singh.
Singhmade the statement while delivering his opening remarks at the 8th ASEANEconomic Community Dialogue, themed “Promoting the Growth of the DigitalStart-Up Ecosystem in ASEAN”, held in Jakarta on October 5.
Hesaid ASEAN’s economic growth is projected to be around 5% this year and 5.3%next year, much higher than the global average. It was estimated that thedigital economy will contribute 363 billion USD to ASEAN’s GDP by 2025, headded.
E-commerceremains an area of interest to both ASEAN and non-ASEAN investors, he said,noting that e-commerce revenue is expected to reach 140 billion USD in 2022 andenjoy an average growth of 15% annually until 2025.
Hehighlighted the importance of fintech in the digital economy, saying the sectorwill record robust growth with regional digital transactions predicted to total195 billion USD this year.
Theofficial also described digital start-ups as the key to ASEAN’s economicrecovery and a catalyst to regional economic growth, saying the ASEAN DigitalMasterplan 2025 views the growth of digital start-ups as a high priority.
Hemoved on to share several ASEAN initiatives to support digital start-ups,including an ASEAN customs mechanism for e-commerce, the adoption of digitalidentification for ASEAN businesses, and an effort to develop a regional legalframework facilitating paperless trade.
The8th ASEAN Economic Community Dialogue featured two sessions –“Unlocking ASEAN’s Entrepreneurial Potential” and “Shaping ASEAN DigitalStart-Up’s Growth for Good” – with notable speakers sharing their perspectiveson how the digital start-up ecosystem in the region can be enhanced foreconomic growth in an equitable, inclusive, sustainable manner./.
On behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnamese Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang affirmed the bloc’s strong commitment to enhance development cooperation at a general debate of the Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Affairs Committee of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly on September 29.
A roundtable workshop on cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) was held in Brussels, Belgium on September 30.
An online symposium focusing on economic aspects in the transition to the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Russia and ASEAN countries and cooperation chances between the sides, was recently held in Moscow.
Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang, representative of Vietnam to ASEAN, took part in a series of events held in Phnom Penh from October 1 – 4 aimed at promoting ASEAN connectivity.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has awarded 15 enterprises for their achievements in creating a safe, healthy, inclusive and supportive work environment at the Fourth ASEAN – Occupational Safety and Health Network (ASEAN-OSHNET) Awards ceremony.
The Republic of Korea (RoK), China and Japan agreed on May 3 to reinforce the regional financial safety net, along with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), by launching a new financing facility programme meant to extend greater support in case of a financial crisis.
A technical issue combined with an extreme heatwave was blamed for a series of explosions at a military base that killed 20 soldiers and injured several others in Cambodia on April 27, the country’s Ministry of Defence said in a May 2 statement as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The Customs Department of Thailand is scheduled to commence the collection of value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods sent via postal services, regardless of the goods value, starting in May.
A lecturer from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine has warned Thais to be more vigilant against COVID-19, saying infection rates appeare to be worsening with higher hospital admissions, deaths and severe cases.
Malaysia should harness the collective expertise and resources to drive sustainable growth and development of the halal industry, according to Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Laos has officially restored the 10% value-added tax (VAT) rate starting May 1, in a bid to support the country’s budget revenue and socio-economic development.
The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) entered its second plenary session in Hanoi on the afternoon of April 23, discussing ways to ensure comprehensive security for the people-centred ASEAN Community.
The first session of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) in Hanoi on April 23 focused on fast and sustainable growth for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) and the ASEAN Alliance on Carbon Markets (AACM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the implementation of carbon crediting programmes across Southeast Asia.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn reaffirmed ASEAN leaders' commitment to empowering the youth to unleash their full potential when he had a dialogue with ASEAN youth in Hanoi on April 22 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Future Forum (AF 2024).
The Thai Government is being urged to increase the proportion of renewable power generation to more than the target of 50% set in the power development plan (PDP).
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of Indonesia on April 21 lifted its tsunami advisory issued previously following the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro district of North Sulawesi province.
Thailand expects to export about 1 million tonnes of durian, valued at an estimated 130 billion THB (3.53 billion USD) this year, with most of the shipments to China, according to Minister of Agriculture Thammanat Prompao.
The 72nd meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) and related meetings are being held by the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of Vietnam in the central city of Da Nang on April 22-26.
Enhancing regional food security and tackling the pressing challenges of climate change will be key agendas defining Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat (lower house) Johari Abdul told the press on April 19.
Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Economic Community Satvinder Singh delivers his opening remarks at the 8th ASEAN Economic Community Dialogue, themed “Promoting the Growth of the Digital Start-Up Ecosystem in ASEAN”, in Jakarta on October 5. (Photo: VNA) 
