ASEAN, Japan enhance cooperation against COVID-19

ASEAN and Japan have agreed to support each other in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on easing its impact, enhancing economic flexibility, promoting export and solving problems faced by small- and medium-sized enterprises, according to the Thai Ministry of Commerce.

 Director-General of Department of Trade Negotiations Auramon Supthaweethum (Photo: https://www.nationthailand.com/)

Bangkok (VNA) – ASEAN and Japan have agreed to support each other in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on easing its impact, enhancing economic flexibility, promoting export and solving problems faced by small- and medium-sized enterprises, according to the Thai Ministry of Commerce.

Local media quoted Director-General of Department of Trade Negotiations Auramon Supthaweethum as saying that ASEAN economic ministers and representatives from Japan issued a notice on cooperation on April 22.

They aimed to keep their markets open and adjust to regional and global demands by providing exports to stabilise market conditions while not obstructing transport of core commodities such as food, consumer products, medicines and medical equipment, she said.

To aid the recovery of micro, small and medium businesses, the two sides will lever digital technology advantages to boost the region’s status as a trade and investment hub, she added.

Japan became ASEAN’s fourth largest trade partner following the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement in 2008. In 2019, trade between the two sides was worth over 214 billion USD./.

VNA