ASEAN Plus Three Leaders and Businessmen Call for More Open Trade
14 November 2017 MANILA – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte chaired the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Leaders’ Interface with the East Asia Business Council (EABC) on 13 November 2017 at the Philippine International Convention Center.
During the meeting, the ASEAN Plus Three Heads of State/Government highlighted the significance of private sector partnership during the Philippine chairmanship of ASEAN and the ASEAN Plus Three Summit on their 50th and 20th anniversary, respectively.
“It is but fitting to have our regional business partners with us as we work in tandem in pushing for the realization of a greater and more progressive East Asia Community,” President Duterte said. The President also mentioned that an open and free trade is necessary to integrate the economies of countries in East Asia and attract partners from other regions of the world. Leaders of the People’s Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea, likewise, expressed support for the East Asia Economic Community vision.
The EABC led by Thailand, as 2017 Chair, briefed the Leaders on EABC’s activities and recommendations. Discussions focused on making business thrive under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is seen as the next logical step in ASEAN’s regional integration to reinforce the region as a global center of trade and commerce. The APT platform would also be a good launch pad to facilitate e-commerce development in East Asia.
The EABC comprises three business leaders from each ASEAN member countries and the Plus Three Countries (People’s Republic of China, Japan, and Republic of Korea) appointed by their respective Economic Ministers. This event is a follow up to the interface with APT Leaders held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during the 18th APT Summit on 21 November 2015. END