1. The 48th Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) was held on 3 August 2016 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. It was chaired by H.E. Mrs. Khemmani Pholsena, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Lao PDR. The 48th AEM was preceded by a preparatory meeting of the Senior Economic Officials. The AEM also held joint meetings with the 30th ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) Council and the 19th ASEAN Investment Area (AIA) Council.

2. The Ministers exchanged views on the recent global developments and their impact on the economic performance and integration agenda in the region. They highlighted that, collectively, ASEAN has achieved important and positive achievements in its regional integration initiatives, and, in general, ASEAN Member States have remained relatively

resilient in the midst of global uncertainties. The Ministers underscored the significance of the year 2016 as the inaugural year of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) following its formal establishment, and highlighted the need to use this momentum by strengthening its commitment towards deeper integration under the AEC Blueprint 2025.

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