Hanoi (VNA) - Economic ministers from ASEANmember countries reviewed the implementation of economic initiatives in 2020 ata virtual meeting on August 25.

The 52nd ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting(AEM-52) was chaired by Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Tran TuanAnh.

Delegates also looked at COVID-19 and the region’sresponse, including its ability to roll out a comprehensive recovery plan, andexchanged views on recommendations submitted by the special group in charge of ASEAN’seconomic integration.

Preparations for dialogues with partners and regionalbusinesses were also on the agenda.

Ministers approved documents submitted by senior ASEANeconomic officials, including the ASEAN digital integration index and terms ofreference on the connectivity of ASEAN innovative centres, which are among 13priority initiatives raised by Vietnam as ASEAN Chair in 2020.

The remaining initiatives it proposed are still underconsultation and are expected to be completed within the year, as scheduled.

Other matters debated included the upcoming negotiationsover the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, which isset to be signed later this year, and the implementation of the Blueprint 2025 ofthe ASEAN Economic Committee.

The bloc’s economic relations with partners such as China,Russia, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea (RoK), the US, Hong Kong (China),Australia, New Zealand, and the EU were also tabled for discussion.

Despite the complexity of the COVID-19 pandemic,Vietnam has made every effort to proceed with ASEAN meetings in order tomaintain economic cooperation frameworks and promote trade, investment,connectivity, and innovation.

The country has proposed and engaged in regionalinitiatives to push ahead with economic recovery post-pandemic while maintainingregional and global production and supply chains./.