Vladivostok (VNA)ಌ – A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Planningand Investment Do Thanh Trung on September 11 attended a dialogue between ASEANand Russia within the framework of the Eastern Economic Forum that is takingplace in Russia's Far East city of Vladivostok from September 10-14.

Theevent saw the participation of officials, and scholars from Russia and ASEANcountries. Theyear 2023 marks the 5th anniversary of the strategic partnership between Russiaand ASEAN. During the transformation of the current global economic system, Russia is especially interested in creating additional incentives to strengthenand diversify trade and economic cooperation with ASEAN. Priorities includeensuring food and energy security, circular economy, environmental issues,economic digitalisation, smart city development, and strengthening cooperationin science and education. Speakingat the event, President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry SergeyKatyrin said that Russia and ASEAN have a lot of potential for cooperation. Russianspeakers also emphasised digital transformation, smart cities, advancedtechnology, and tourism are areas with strong growth prospects between Russiaand ASEAN. However,there remain limitations such as international payment issues, transportation,and sanctions against Russia. Dr.Alexander Korolev, an ASEAN expert at the Higher School of Economics (HSE), saidthat amid current competition, Russia must introduce new formats and productsto access the ASEAN market. Accordingto Dr. Korolev, Vietnam is an important country in ASEAN because only Vietnamhas established a comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia. Healso said that artificial intelligence and high technology are areas that canbecome a driving force for cooperation between Russia and ASEAN, especiallye-commerce, agreements on e-commerce, and platforms. Forhis part, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment of Vietnam Do Thanh Trung, said that the EEF focuses on current general development trends of countriesaround the world, including Vietnam. Russiaalso introduced the great potential of the Far East region to ASEAN countries.The region now has a huge demand for developing strategic infrastructure suchas seaport systems, traffic, housing, and transportation systems. Regarding potential for tourism development between Russia and ASEAN, delegatesmentioned the reopening of direct flights between Russia and Myanmar after 30years. TheVietnamese official said few Vietnamese tourists have explored the FarEast region, which can be seen as an opportunity not only for Vietnamesetourists but also for its tourism businesses to develop their products in thearea, especially when travel between Vietnam and the Far East becomesconvenient./.