1. Economic Ministers from all ASEAN Member States, Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the Russian Federation and the United States met on 5 August 2016, in Vientiane, Lao PDR, for the Fourth East Asia Summit (EAS) Economic Ministers Meeting. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Mrs Khemmani Pholsena, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR.

2. The Ministers commended the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 as a major milestone in regional economic integration. The Ministers also welcomed the new AEC Blueprint 2025, which envisages an AEC by 2025 that is highly integrated and cohesive; competitive, innovative and dynamic; with enhanced connectivity and sectoral cooperation; a more resilient, inclusive, and people-oriented, people-centred community, and integrated with the global economy.

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