Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (Photo: VNA)Singapore (VNA) – Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loonghas called for greater economic integration and cooperation and unity amongASEAN member nations to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from permanently damaging their economies.
Leemade the call at the 36th ASEAN Summit which was held on June 26 viavideo conference under the chair of Vietnamese PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chair ofASEAN 2020.
In line withthe summit's theme, "Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN", Lee proposed three ways to boostcooperation, namely sharing technologies to contain the virus and curb newinfections, procuring equitable, steady and affordable supply of COVID-19 treatment and vaccines when theybecome available and maintaining the flow of trade.
Regarding the treatment of COVID-19 patients, Lee spoke of the need to avoid shortages and improve thesupply of affordable and quality vaccines.
He told other leaders that Singapore is not only investing heavily in the researchand development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics, but also buildingits vaccine manufacturing capacity, enabling manufacturers to use itsfacilities to meet the demands in the region.
On trade andthe economy, Lee said that the economic consequences of the pandemic "willlinger long after the virus has been contained".
He notedthat many countries are turning inwards but said an open, stable and integratedASEAN will attractinvestments to the region.
On tourism,a sector badly battered by the pandemic, Lee proposed that a protocol bedeveloped to progressively and safely lift the current intra-ASEAN restrictions on travel.
Singaporehas begun to ease the restrictions on travellers from some countries, includingthose from ASEAN,he noted, and will further ease them as the public health risk subsides./.
Leemade the call at the 36th ASEAN Summit which was held on June 26 viavideo conference under the chair of Vietnamese PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chair ofASEAN 2020.
In line withthe summit's theme, "Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN", Lee proposed three ways to boostcooperation, namely sharing technologies to contain the virus and curb newinfections, procuring equitable, steady and affordable supply of COVID-19 treatment and vaccines when theybecome available and maintaining the flow of trade.
Regarding the treatment of COVID-19 patients, Lee spoke of the need to avoid shortages and improve thesupply of affordable and quality vaccines.
He told other leaders that Singapore is not only investing heavily in the researchand development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics, but also buildingits vaccine manufacturing capacity, enabling manufacturers to use itsfacilities to meet the demands in the region.
On trade andthe economy, Lee said that the economic consequences of the pandemic "willlinger long after the virus has been contained".
He notedthat many countries are turning inwards but said an open, stable and integratedASEAN will attractinvestments to the region.
On tourism,a sector badly battered by the pandemic, Lee proposed that a protocol bedeveloped to progressively and safely lift the current intra-ASEAN restrictions on travel.
Singaporehas begun to ease the restrictions on travellers from some countries, includingthose from ASEAN,he noted, and will further ease them as the public health risk subsides./.
VNA
