(Photo: AFP/VNA)Singapore (VNA) - ASEAN countries and their keypartners should deepen economic cooperation and maintain connectivity torebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hassaid.
Speaking at the summits between ASEAN and key partners heldvirtually on November 12 under the chair of Vietnam, the Singaporean PM saidthe conclusion of the RegionalComprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal willreflect the commitment to "uphold a rules-based multilateral tradingsystem and promote regional economic integration".
He was quoted by The Straits Times journal as welcomingChinese President Xi Jinping's commitment to make vaccines a public good andprioritise the needs of the region, as well as China'sparticipation in the Covax Facility, which he said reflects itsclose relationship with ASEAN.
At the ASEAN-the Republic of Korea (RoK) Summit, PM Lee saidstrengthening economic cooperation would help in the countries' recovery.
The work to update the ASEAN-RoK Free Trade Area will helpbusinesses cope with the pandemic's impact and create more growthopportunities, he added.
On enhancing connectivity, he highlighted the need tomaintain open and connected supply chains so trade flows - including ofessential supplies such as food and medical equipment - are not impeded.
At the ASEAN-Japan Summit, PM Lee said Japan has alsocontributed to ASEAN's COVID-19 initiatives through consistent engagement andeconomic pacts. He also thanked Japan for its role in bringing the RCEP to"fruition".
At the ASEAN-India summit, PM Lee said: "We understandIndia's decision not to sign the RCEP at this time. But Singapore stands readyto welcome India to the RCEP, whenever it is ready to re-join."
PM Lee said COVID-19 has emphasised the importance of ASEANstrengthening its strategic partnership with India, including in research anddevelopment for vaccines and treatments for the virus. India, he noted, is akey player in the global pharmaceutical supply chain and has deep technologicaland biomedical expertise.
The RCEP, which will be the world's largest tradepact, involves 15countries: ASEAN's 10 member states, as well as China, Japan, RoK,Australia and New Zealand. Together, they contribute about one-third of theworld's gross domestic product.
The same day, The Nation journal of Thailand said that Thai CommerceMinister Jurin Laksanawisit is scheduled to sign the (RCEP) on November 15 at avirtual meeting of ASEAN countries and their partners./.
VNA
