Prime Minister of Cambodia, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet, has stressed the significance of a free, inclusive, fair, and transparent multilateral trading system in ASEAN region, and called on ASEAN to expand trade cooperation among its member countries and with partners.
The Cambodian Premier made the remarks while attending the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, under the theme of ‘ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience’, chaired by H.E. Dr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of Lao PDR and Chair of ASEAN for 2024, in Vientiane, Laos, on Oct. 9, according to press release of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation received by AKP this morning.
For ASEAN to remain a driving force for global prosperity, ASEAN should leverage on a huge potential of emerging sectors, including digital economy, green transition, blue economy and resilient supply chains so that our region can contribute to enjoying robust and durable growth, underscored Samdech Thipade
i HUN Manet.
Samdech HUN Manet further reaffirmed Cambodia’s full support for the priorities of Lao PDR as the ASEAN Chair, especially as enhancing connectivity and resilience resonates deeply with ASEAN’s shared aspirations and collective vision for a robust, prosperous and integrated Southeast Asia.
Regarding growing geopolitical complexity and uncertainty, exacerbated by both traditional and non-traditional security issues, Samdech Thipadei HUN Manet underlined that ASEAN’s shared responses must be proactive, anticipatory and strategic, so that the region will be future-proof and future-ready.
Taking the opportunity, the Cambodian Prime Minister reaffirmed Cambodia’s support for Timor-Leste to become a full member of ASEAN at the earliest, and expressed support for any practical and creative approach to this end.
Concerning the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia, Samdech Thipadei HUN Manet welcomed growing interest from countries outside the region to accede to it, and supported an
y partner who wants to form a relationship with ASEAN based on the principle of mutual respect, trust and benefit.
At the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Representatives, Samdech Thipadei HUN Manet emphasised the importance of promoting and maintaining the existing peace and peaceful coexistence among states at a time of resurgent violent conflicts in many parts of the world and the rising extremism and populism.
The Cambodian Premier also stressed the need for governments and parliaments to strengthen cooperation to promote emerging industries, notably digital economy and green transitions, and to put in place effective legal frameworks to help ASEAN tap into the great potentials that sectors bring.
At the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), Samdech Thipadei HUN Manet highlighted the significance of continued collaboration between public and private sectors to support infrastructure projects when fiscal space is limited, an
d encouraged further cooperation in the areas of regional connectivity, digital transformation, and green transition.
Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister informed the meeting that Cambodia has just unveiled the ‘Comprehensive Master Plan on Cambodia Intermodal Transport and Logistics System’ in early this year, and invited the private sector to consider this attraction opportunity.
He also underscored the critical role of the private sector in contributing to rapid economic growth and the improvement of the well-being of the people in the region.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse