ASEC-Jetro Mou heralds a new era

Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General of Asean Secretariat said that Asean has the world's largest business space, when it transforms into a single market in 2015. Asean has an estimated 590 million population.

As such, he welcomed the ASEC-JETRO MOU as a framework to facilitate economic-community building in Asean and enhance bilateral cooperation with Japan including human resource development. Dr. Surin also welcomes the formation of Federation of Japanese Chambers of Commerce and Industry to represent the Japanese business communities.

"The cooperation between Asean Secretariat and the Japanese private sectors, through JETRO, would help Asean to improve its investment climate and retain its centrality as an economic engine in the region," he reiterated.

The Asean chief added that with the newly established federation, they can speak with one voice and address common challenges in Asean-Japan relations. JETRO is the first organization of its kind to sign a cooperation framework with ASEAN.

The signing ceremony was preceded by Asean-Japan Business Dialogue between Dr. Surin and representatives of Asean-based Japanese Chambers of Commerce. The discussion touched on common problems and prospects encountered by Japanese investors inside ASEAN.

Nishimura Hidetoshi, executive director of the Economic Research Institution for Asean and East Asia (ERIA) said that the experience and insight of Japanese business leaders are useful to improve the efficiency of Asean in achieving its economic integration.

He said that ERIA, as the research arm of Asean Secretariat, will do its utmost to assist Asean by provide policy options as well as serving as a tripartile-type forum for dialogue among researchers, policymakers and civil society.

The MOU will facilitate dialogue and consultation between the Asean Secretariat and Japanese business community based in the member countries. Japan is a major trading partner and investor in ASEAN.

JETRO will also work closely together with ERIA in addressing common challenges in the region. Both organizations view the establishment of Asean Economic Community in 2015 as pivotal to the region-wide economic well beings.