On behalf of the ASEAN Secretariat, I would like to extend my warm congratulations on the establishment of the Dialogue for Innovative and Sustainable Growth (DISG), which essentially aims to complement the ASEAN-Japan Economic Resilience Action Plan that was adopted by Economic Ministers of the ASEAN Member States and Japan in July this year. The COVID-19 global pandemic is an unprecedented challenge that no one expected to happen.

On behalf of ASEAN BAC Brunei, I would like to extend my warm congratulations on the establishment of the Dialogue for Innovative and Sustainable Growth (DISG), which I strongly believe will be a beneficial platform to explore issues together with multisectoral bodies to overcome the adverse impact of COVID-19 on our economy, and also to explore future ASEAN-Japan collaboration in many potential areas. The pandemic has emphasized on the importance of cooperation to recover together. We are grateful for our close economic tie with Japan in supporting the regional economic integration, especially during the post-pandemic era.

As a Chairman of ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), I hereby congratulate on the official establishment of the Dialogue to materialize ASEAN-Japan Economic Resilience Action Plan. On June 26, ASEAN BAC has the Dialogue with ASEAN Leaders and we has submitted our report, which includes the ASEAN BAC Legacy Project this year, the Digital STARS or Digital Startups Towards ASEAN Resilience and Sustainability, aiming to develop ASEAN-wide digital start-up network for resilient and sustainable business in this region.

First of all, I would like to express my congratulations on the launch of the ASEAN-Japan Dialogue, a move that shows Japan’s determination to jointly overcome the negative economic impact of COVID-19. Amid this unprecedented global crisis, it is vital to swiftly set clear direction and take follow-up actions, and Japan is exactly demonstrating this determination.

On behalf of Ministry of Economic, Trade and Industries (METI) of Japan, I would like to express the deepest gratitude to all of you, especially ASEC, ERIA, ASEAN BAC, AJBC and JETRO, for providing support for the “Dialogue for Innovative and Sustainable Growth (DISG)”, which was endorsed at the 26th AEM-METI consultation in August 2020. ASEAN and Japan are now further enhancing the economic cooperation in unprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The Japan Committee of the ASEAN-Japan Business Council (AJBC), of which I serve as Chairman, promotes mutual friendship and understanding between the business communities of ASEAN and Japan as well as mutual trade, investment, industrial cooperation and various exchanges. We have been carrying out these activities for 40 years, ever since representatives from the Japanese business community visited the ASEAN countries in February of 1977.

First of all, JETRO is honored to take part in this newly established “Dialogue for Innovative and Sustainable Growth (DISG)”. COVID-19 has had a deep negative economic impact in Asia by triggering global value chain disruption and restrictions on the movement of persons; but at the same time, it has brought new business opportunities, including rapid transformation or adoption of digital technologies.