Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh's full remarks at ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2021

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to speak at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2021 today. 

I highly appreciate the ASEAN Business Advisory Council for convening the Summit during these most trying moments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I am pleased to note that our Summit today is well attended by representatives of businesses, international organizations and ASEAN governments. Let me take this opportunity, on behalf of the Government of Viet Nam, to express my heartfelt thanks to the peoples and Governments of your countries, and to international organizations, for the invaluable support extended to Viet Nam in the fight against COVID-19.

I am confident that our Summit will contribute to the facilitation and promotion of trade and investment ties in the region, and the resumption of disrupted supply chains, thus helping ASEAN enterprises maintain their operations, bolster cooperation, build a digital economy, and apply digital technology to the fight against the pandemic. Such endeavors will also make production greener, develop green technologies and agriculture, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and advance collaboration in clean and renewable energy.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The ASEAN region is home to the fastest-growing and most dynamic economies. Together, we can strive toward a region of harmony, stability, peace and shared prosperity. Also, we are deeply aware that it would not be enough to depend on the effort of any single government or country to contain the pandemic, revive the economy, and bring about benefits to the people in the region.

We will certainly need concerted efforts from all ASEAN members, as well as ASEAN’s partners if we are to achieve this goal. I believe that, during times of hardship caused by COVID-19, it is crucial that ASEAN governments, business communities and stakeholders focus on the implementation of the Comprehensive Recovery Framework, adopted by ASEAN leaders at the 37^th ASEAN Summit under Viet Nam's Chairmanship.

At the same time, we will also need to continue rolling out other initiatives adopted by ASEAN in three directions, namely recovery, digitalization and sustainability, and step up application of scientific and technological gains to foster green recovery.

As ASEAN and its partners actively work together in the interest of development, we should consider COVID-19 response and green economic recovery as the most important goals to bring about substantive benefits and all the best to all economic sectors and our people at large.

To that end, let me reiterate the importance of the ASEAN Consolidated Strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the acceleration of the Strategic and Holistic Initiative to Link ASEAN Responses to Emergencies and Disasters, proposed by Brunei Darussalam this year.

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Digitalization has become a global demand. And ASEAN is no exception. Responding to this trend, in early September, ASEAN adopted the Digital Transformation Agenda to Accelerate ASEAN's Economic Recovery and Digital Economy Integration.

As such, I welcome the initiatives and recommendations proposed by the business communities during our Summit, particularly the experience and best practices in digitalization, and mutual assistance in the application of high technologies and modern sciences to effectively curb the pandemic, and in the enhancement of digital literacy.

This will help ASEAN secure successful digital transformation and become an innovative and competitive community.

Also, seizing opportunities for growth in the digital technology domain is especially significant in promoting green growth and recovery, protecting the environment, bolstering connectivity, and raising ASEAN's profile in the world.

Viet Nam is committed to work closely with other ASEAN members and partners to advance digital infrastructure connectivity and secure a digital ecosystem for all stakeholders, towards a region of inclusive and sustainable digital development.

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Viet Nam is making every effort to improve its business environment towards transparency, openness, stability and the protection of rights pertaining to intellectual property, trademark and copyright.

Viet Nam also stands ready to work alongside the businesses in ASEAN member states and other partner countries, and pledges to create the best policies and green business environment to harness the business and investment opportunities between Viet Nam and other countries in the region.

With its "Doi Moi" and open-door policy, the Government of Viet Nam always attaches due importance to the collaboration with ASEAN for peace, stability, cooperation and shared development. Viet Nam will continue working closely with regional countries to translate the shared targets of the ASEAN Economic Community into reality.

We have also tirelessly tried to maintain our links with the global value chain, and engage extensively at international and regional forums for the stability and shared prosperity in the region and beyond.

Let me reassure you that the Government of Viet Nam will spare no effort to assist businesses in digital transformation, advance digital literacy, encourage cooperation between businesses, and facilitate greater investment in advanced technology towards fostering green growth and creating green jobs across all economic sectors.

Viet Nam also pays special attention to vulnerable groups, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), women- and youth-led businesses in order to secure inclusiveness and leave no one behind.

Ladies and gentlemen, 

 As for the business community, your contributions to the fight against COVID-19 are truly crucial. I very much hope that you will continue to join hands with ASEAN governments to defeat the pandemic and promote economic recovery. We are all in need of your activeness and innovation in adapting to the “new normal”, creating new jobs, ensuring welfare, stability and livelihood for the people, and generating new values for the society and community.

I am confident that, together, we will continue to build on the ASEAN Spirit with proactiveness, responsibility and solidarity in order to overcome challenges and work towards a brighter future of ASEAN - our common house.

May the initiatives and recommendations discussed in our Summit today contribute to shaping better trade and investment facilitation policies within and beyond our region. 

I thank you, Madam Chair.