JAKARTA, 17 July 2024 – Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, held the 16th annual dialogue with the Federation of Japanese Chambers of Commerce and Industry in ASEAN (FJCCIA) today at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat.
At the dialogue, Dr. Kao and Sawamura Takero, Chairman of FJCCIA, exchanged views on areas of collaboration, including fostering a thriving digital landscape, achieving carbon neutrality, and shoring up supply chain connectivity, under the framework of “Future Design and Action Plan of an Innovative Sustainable ASEAN-Japan Economic Partnership 2023-2033.“
Dr. Kao underscored the significance of economic ties between ASEAN and Japan, highlighting that the total two-way trade between both sides have reached US$241.1 billion in 2023, while the total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow from Japan to ASEAN amounted to US$14.5 billion. Currently Japan stands as ASEAN’s fourth largest trading partner and fifth external source of FDI, a testament to the flourishing partnership.
In the dialogue, Dr. Kao encouraged Japanese businesses to partner with the ASEAN business community under the “ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation Vision” to shape and co-create a future with robust supply chains that benefit both parties.
To advance economic interests of both parties, Mr. Sawamura conveyed FJCCIA’s recommendations comprising of six key pillars: 1) Seamlessly connected single market and production site; 2) Green economy and sustainability; 3) Digital economy and innovation, and emerging technology; 4) ASEAN playing an active role in the global community; 5) ASEAN with resilient and abundant human resources, and 6) Inclusive and equitable development. He also emphasised on the active contribution of Japanese businesses and its immense involvement in the development of the ASEAN region.
The dialogue between the Secretary-General of ASEAN and FJCCIA is an annual platform to receive inputs and exchange ideas on the improvement of various economic initiatives in ASEAN, aiming to unleash the full potential of ASEAN-Japan economic relations.
