Asean must double down on economic integration to withstand external pressures: Vivian Balakrishnan

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Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said Asean’s response to recent developments must be to press ahead with internal reforms and strengthen ties with external partners.

PHOTO: EPA

Summary

• Asean must enhance economic integration to counter global challenges like protectionism, aiming to become a single production and investment zone by reducing trade barriers.
• Asean ministers plan closer coordination of foreign affairs with trade and economic development, optimising operations to address US tariffs and global economic issues.
• Singapore promotes regional connectivity via projects like the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and the Asean Digital Economy Framework, while tackling digital scams.

AI generated

KUALA LUMPUR – Asean must double down on economic integration so that it can better withstand growing global headwinds, including rising protectionism and geopolitical uncertainty, said Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on July 11.

Speaking to Singapore media after the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Dr Balakrishnan said the grouping’s response to recent developments, including new tariff announcements from the US, must be to press ahead with internal reforms and strengthen ties with external partners.

“Remember, our overall vision ultimately is to make Asean a single production zone, a single investment zone. And that means bringing down barriers, not just tariff barriers but non-tariff barriers as well,” he said.

Dr Balakrishnan noted that the overall tone of the week-long meetings that he had with Asean as well as its key partners was “sober”, shaped by multiple crises worldwide.

He pointed to the wars going on in Europe