India to further deepen engagement with ASEAN : Prabhu

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The ASEAN – India Business and Investment Meet and Expo was jointly inaugurated on January 22, 2018, by Suresh Prabhu, Minister for Commerce and Industry, India, with the ASEAN Ministers and Gen. (Dr.) (Retd.) V K Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs, India.

The Ministers from ASEAN countries included Lim Jock Seng, Minister at the Prime Minister’s office and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei, Enggartiasto Lukita, Minister for Trade, Indonesia, U Khin Maung Cho, Union Minister for Industry, Myanmar, Chhuon Dara, Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce, Cambodia,  Ms Nora Kakilala Terado, Under Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippines, Ms Chutima Bunyapraphasara, Deputy Minister for Commerce, Thailand, Cao Quoc Hung,  Vice Minister for  Industry and Trade, Vietnam. Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary General of ASEAN,  also attended the event.

The inaugural plenary on the theme of ‘Promoting Mutual Trade and Investment for Shared Prosperity’ covered discussions on strengthening India’s economic relations with the countries in the East with both sides aiming to scale up bilateral trade and investment in the region. The session focused on trade facilitation measures taken to promote trade between India and ASEAN countries in manufacturing sector, promoting SME ecosystem to enhance entrepreneurship quotient in the region and startup culture to create new pipeline of ideas.

Suresh Prabhu, Minister for Commerce and Industry, thanked the ASEAN ministers for their presence stating that India and ASEAN share deep and strong relations. He stressed that India is looking forward to further deepening its engagement with ASEAN, with all the special commemorative events  lined up for the next few days, celebrating our Shared Values and Common Destiny.  He stated that this event will help envision the next 25 years of India-ASEAN relations, highlighting our various sectoral collaborations, according to a PIB release.

ASEAN India Expo showcases the best in trade and services in India and ASEAN region. Buyers and exhibitors across the sectors such as Infrastructure, manufacturing, manufacturing & engineering, ICT, healthcare, Tourism, Environment, Agriculture, Science & technology, Finance and Banking, Logistics and Retail are participating in the Expo. The Expo has participation from businesses and CEOs across ASEAN countries, ASEAN country Pavilions, Pavilions of Indian States and Export Promotion Councils.