Leaders appreciate business’s role in Asia-Europe connectivity

October 17, 2014 | 08:41

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Leaders of ASEM highly valued the increasingly role and contributions of enterprises in connecting Asia and Europe during the 14th business forum in Milan, Italy on October 16.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung at the 14th Asia-Europe Business Forum, Milan, Italy,
October 15, 2014 - Photo: VGP

The leaders included European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Prime Ministers of Viet Nam, Japan and Malaysia.

Enterprises of both continents were urged to work with Governments to expand trade and investment flows and ensure food, water and energy security.

The leaders also called for business communities’ stronger engagement in infrastructure development.

Addressing the event, PM Dung stressed that the prospect of formulating multi-layered economic connectivity in Asia and the establishment of ASEAN Community by 2015 will open up a new stage of fresh and dynamic development for Southeast Asia.

ASEAN is expected to become a focal point of economic and trade connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region by 2020 with a network of free trade agreements established or under negotiations.

PM Dung affirmed that Viet Nam is persistently pursuing deep reform, drastic economic restructuring in combination with growth model transformation.

Viet Nam will be an important player of ASEM connectivity process as most of its strategic partners are ASEM members and the country plans to conclude 14 FTAs, including the one between Viet Nam and the EU, through 2020.

PM Dung said that the above facts are the basic foundations for Viet Nam to contribute to enhancing Asia-Europe connectivity and to further integrate into the global value chain.

The two-day Asia-Europe Business Forum attracted the participation of around 800 business representatives from both continents.

VGP

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