Prime Minister hosts delegation of ASEAN BAC chairmen

The delegation, led by ASEAN BAC Chair 2024 and President of the Lao Chamber of Commerce and Industry Oudet Souvannavong, is in Ha Noi for the 101st ASEAN BAC meeting.

Oudet Souvannavong spoke highly of the role played by Viet Nam in building a self-reliant and cohesive ASEAN.

He said, ASEAN BAC has made efforts to promote trade, investment, and integration within the bloc and with its partners, focusing on cooperation in digital transformation, green and sustainable development, and self-reliance in health and food.

It has paid due attention to connecting supply chains in the Greater Mekong, including Laos and Viet Nam, while fostering coordination in the fields of finance, infrastructure, and digital transformation, he noted.

Oudet Souvannavong said the ASEAN BAC will convene the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ASEAN BIS) in Vientiane, Laos, later this year, hoping for support from the Vietnamese Government and the attendance of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Prime Minister Pham, for his part, suggested ASEAN BAC work with specialized agencies to make appropriate proposals and recommendations for the governments of ASEAN countries to continue improving institutions, standardize investment and business regulations, streamline procedures by enhancing digital transformation, improve investment and business environment, and minimize trade barriers.

ASEAN BAC should accompany governments and peoples of ASEAN to strengthen economic connectivity, especially in terms of infrastructure, transport, while enhancing linkages in society, culture, health, and education, the Vietnamese leader said.

It is necessary to renew traditional growth drivers and promote new growth drivers in spheres of digital economy, green economy, and knowledge economy, he underlined.

Meanwhile, Pham called for developing high-quality human resources, especially in such areas as digital transformation, green transition, and high technology.

The Prime Minister highlighted the need to step up the application of achievements of the 4th industrial revolution such as digital platforms, cloud computing, digital institutions, digital data, digital human resources, digital skills, cyber security, big data, artificial intelligence (AI) into business management.

Pham expected that ASEAN BAC members will promote their pioneering role to make ASEAN a leading attractive destination for investors and contribute to boost ASEAN's rapid and sustainable development./.