Today in Vientiane: Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn met with the Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Lao PDR Malaythong Kommasith, as the incoming Chair of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council. Dr Kao expressed ASEAN Secretariat’s commitment in assisting Lao PDR during its upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024, particularly in supporting the delivery of Priority Economic Deliverables.

He further reiterated the Secretariat’s steadfast commitment in supporting Lao PDR, especially as ASEAN undertakes a series of ongoing upgrade negotiations of ASEAN Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and new ASEAN+1 FTA negotiation, which would further consolidate regional economic integration and bring prosperity to the region.