1. Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing will attend the 51st ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting and Related Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, from 5 to 8 September 2019. These include the 33rd ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) Council Meeting, the 22nd ASEAN Investment Area (AIA) Council Meeting, the 7th Ministerial Meeting of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the various AEM Consultations with ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners.
2. At the meetings, the Ministers will discuss the progress of economic integration initiatives under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2025 Blueprint, and economic deliverables under Thailand’s 2019 ASEAN Chairmanship. Ministers from ASEAN and its Dialogue Partner countries will also take stock of ASEAN’s six Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), progress in economic cooperation and exchange views on regional issues. Ministers from the 16 RCEP Participating Countries will discuss the progress of negotiations on the RCEP.
3. During the trip, Mr Chan will also meet his counterparts from ASEAN Member States and ASEAN Dialogue Partners to exchange views on bilateral initiatives and on the global economy. He will also meet with representatives from the local startup ecosystem to discuss the technology and startup scene in Thailand.
4. Mr Chan will be accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
5 September 2019