During the 30th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat (30th AEM Retreat) held on Saturday in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, Cambodia voiced its support for an expanded economic integration among the ASEAN member states. Cham Nimul, the Minister of Commerce (MoC) for Cambodia and the country’s representative for ASEAN economic matters, spearheaded a delegation to engage in discussions aimed at evaluating and advancing ASEAN’s economic unity.
The invitation to join the 30th AEM Retreat came from Malaithong Kommasith, the Minister of Industry and Commerce for Lao PDR, who is serving as the Chair of the ASEAN Economic Ministers for the current year. The retreat provided a platform for detailed discussions on several key aspects of ASEAN economic integration. Topics of focus included the outlining of annual priorities for the year 2024, advancements in the ASEAN Digital Economic Framework Agreement negotiations, updates on the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) Upgrade Negotiation, initiatives for ASEAN sustainability, and the formulation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
Furthermore, the discussions extended to strategies addressing new and emerging challenges within the context of ASEAN+1 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), enhancements in the ASEAN-China collaboration through the 3.0 Upgrade Negotiation, and the ASEAN Services Facilitation Framework. A significant part of the dialogue involved the endorsement of Priority Economic Deliverables under Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship for 2024.
The retreat also aimed to update participants on the legacy projects, priorities, and initiatives of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) for the current year. The objective was to explore recommendations and potential collaboration areas with the ASEAN-BAC to bolster the involvement of the private sector in ASEAN’s economic integration efforts.
In a related event on February 28, Nimul partook in the 13th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting alongside Nguyen Chi Dzung and Khamjane Vongphosy, the Ministers of Planning and Investment from Vietnam and Lao PDR, respectively. The meeting concluded with the signing of various proposals aimed at fostering development within the CLV Development Triangle Area. These proposals included initiatives for infrastructure connectivity, human resource development, and the cultivation of potential industries within the triangle area, further contributing to the broader economic integration objectives within ASEAN.
