Asean economic ministers hold informal talks at golf course

via CAAI News Media

March 1, 2010

PUTRAJAYA, Feb. 28 — The 27-hole Equatorial Golf Course in Bangi is the "venue" for Asean economic ministers here for the 16th Asean Economic Ministers' (AEM) Retreat to have informal talks on issues of mutual concern.

They gathered at the golf course, about 10 kilometers from the meeting venue at Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, for a round of golf ahead of the working dinner on Saturday's night.

Under the cloudy weather with temperatures hovering at 32 degrees celsius, the ministers and senior officials will play 18 holes at the lush greenery course amid quiet ambience.

The ministers are Cambodia's Senior Minister and Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh, Indonesia's Minister of Trade Dr Mari Elka Pangestu, Myanmar Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Thailand Vice-Minister of Commerce Alongkorn Ponlaboot and Vietnam Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Camtu.

Senior officials playing are Malaysia's International Trade and Industry Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Mamat, senior director Datuk Abdul Ghafar Musa, Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation chief executive officer Datuk Noharuddin Nordin, Malaysia-Cambodia Business Council president Tan Sri Mohd Ramli Kushairi, Malaysian Industrial Development Authority senior director Phang Ah Tong and DRB-Hicom Bhd Auto Solutions chairman Datuk Bahar Ahmad.

Except Thailand, which is represented by a vice-minister, all other Asean countries are represented by ministers at the two-day retreat beginning Saturday.

Among issues discussed at the retreat are the effects of several free trade agreements (FTAs) signed with major trading partners over the years, particularly on the impact on domestic industries.

Asean has inked FTAs with Australia, China, India, Japan and South Korea.

The ministers will also deliberate on the future direction of Asean after the creation of Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.

Earlier, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the main challenge for the Asean Retreat is to find ways to boost intra-Asean trade to surpass the 25 percent annual percentage from the total trade to at least 30 to 35 percent in the near future.

Other issues to feature prominently are ensuring Asean countries are steadfast in their commitments as stipulated in the AEC Blueprint and on the new economic integration model after realization of the AEC in 2015. (PNA/Bernama)