Binh Duong (VNA) – The ASEAN and other new regionalAsian groups became the focus of a plenary session on November 26, part of the2018 Horasis Asia Meeting held in the southern province of Binh Duong.

The plenum attracted local officials, business executivesfrom many countries, and Vietnamese and foreign researchers.

They heard that the ASEAN has been a calming presencefor more than 50 years, with new groups emerging with even stronger businessorientations. These developments have brought broad consequences for Asia,Europe, and global business.

Speakers mentioned issues relating to the futureof Asia, such as the creation of a favourable ecosystem for businesses to grow,energy transition, and the free movement of Asia.

They suggested making use of diversity toimprove governance capacity; investing in the Internet of Things, education,and health care; while also boosting technological cooperation and development.

Participants also pointed out advantages andchallenges facing some countries amid new development trends. They said it isvery important to enhance ASEAN’s transport connectivity and seek new marketsso as to fuel regional development.

Bryan Yang, CEO of China’s Inspiration Inc.,said the global economic outlook has been affected by multiple factorsrecently, including the US-China trade tension. This has created greatopportunities for ASEAN countries.

He added that his firm is seeking investmentchances in the region, including Vietnam, mainly in the fields of education,health care, finance, and technology.

Huynh Quang Hai, a standing member of the Boardof Directors at the Vietnam-Singapore and Industrial Park (VSIP) Group, saidthe development of ASEAN will bring about numerous benefits for its members.

To attract ASEAN investors, new VSIPs are beingbuilt under a smarter model with more efficient infrastructure and more stableenergy supply sources. The VSIP Group, founded based on a 1994 initiative ofthe prime ministers of Vietnam and Singapore, is working with Singaporeanpartners to apply advanced technologies to boost the efficiency of its VSIPs,Hai noted.–VNA