ASEAN Economic Ministers' Retreat Meeting opens

Top trade officials from all ASEAN Member States (AMS) gathered Thursday March 9, 2017) to officially convene the 23rd ASEAN Economic Ministers' (AEM) Retreat Meeting and Related Meetings hosted by the Philippines. On the same day, an interface with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council will also be held. The Philippines, to be led by Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez (6th from left), who serves as the AEM Chair, is determined to seek the Meeting’s endorsements on the country’s top priority deliverables that range from trade and trade facilitation, trade in services, investment, connectivity and innovation. The trade chief will be joined by Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo (leftmost) as lead for the Philippines. Representing each AMS were (from left to right) PHL's Usec. Rodolfo; Minister Dato Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Malaysia; Minister Apirandi Tantraporn, Thailand; Minister Tran Tuan Anh, Vietnam; Lim Hang Kiang, Singapore; PHL's Sec. Lopez; Director-General Laohoua Cheuching, Lao PDR; Director-General Iman Pambagyo, Indonesia; Minister Pan Sorasak, Cambodia; Permanent Secretary Jock Hoi Lim, Brunei Darussalam; Minister Maung Maung Win, Myanmar; and Secretary-General Le Luong Minh, ASEAN Secretariat. (PNA photo courtesy of DTI)
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