Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (Source: VNA)Tokyo (VNA) –Vietnam should encourage other ASEAN members to join the Organisation forEconomic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a senior official from theJapanese Foreign Ministry said at the Ministerial Conference of the OECD in Tokyoon March 8.
Masamoto Kenichi, whois in charge of the OECD, spoke highly of the role of Southeast Asian nationsin the world’s economic growth, saying that they are indispensible in the OECDstructure to maintain effective, legal and interactive operation of aninternational organisation.
Therefore, the OECDconsidered the regional nations its potential members, and initiated the SoutheastAsia Regional Programme (SEARP) in 2014, he said, adding that the interest in theOECD among ASEAN nations is growing.
Deputy ForeignMinister Bui Thanh Son, who led the Vietnamese delegation to the event, said ASEANnations should continue giving priorities to boosting economic integration viabilateral and regional free trade agreements.
The SEARP aims tosupport ASEAN nations’ economic reform and integration, has seen numerouspositive outcomes. The OECD has shared its experience, knowledge and advisedpolicies for ASEAN nations in investment, infrastructure, small- andmedium-sized enterprises, education-training, among others, Son said.
He suggested ASEANcountries improve their business environments to encourage the private sectorto join in infrastructure development, while strengthening their digital connectivity,investing in human resources to take opportunities and benefits of the fourthindustrial revolution (4.0).
Son also called onASEAN countries to enhance their cooperation to mitigate challenges facingskilled labourers shifting among them, promote gender equality, women’sprogress via facilitating their access to education, training, employment, andsocial resources.
During the conference,themed Inclusive ASEAN, participants discussed challenges and opportunitiesposed during the economic integration and sustainable and inclusive developmentin Southeast Asia.
The event highlighted theimportant role of SEARP in creating favourable conditions for ASEAN’s regionalintegration, supporting reform priorities in ASEAN member nations, and bringingthem closer to the OECD.
It also affirmed thestrategic significance of connectivity between the OECD and ASEAN via SEARP andacknowledged the progresses SEARP has gained over the past tenure co-chaired byJapan and Indonesia.
Thailand and theRepublic of Korea will co-chair SEARP in the 2018-2021 term.-VNA
VNA
