Pattaya, 12 June 2019: A delegation from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) took part in the 12th Dialogue between the Secretary-General of ASEAN and Federation of Japanese Chambers of Commerce and Industry in ASEAN (FJCCIA) on 12 June 2019 in Pattaya, Thailand.

The President of ERIA, Prof Hidetoshi Nishimura, gave remarks at the opening session, stressing how the digitalisation of the ASEAN region could result in tariff reductions, better trade facilitation, cross-border custom management, and a decrease in non-tariff measures.

‘By creating a robust digital ecosystem within the region, ASEAN, which has huge market and production networks, can reinforce its growth potential as an integral core of the world,’ said Prof Nishimura. He also underlined the importance of free flow of data as a driver of the regional economic integration and development of ASEAN.

The dialogue was divided into four sessions: Trade Facilitation, Labor Environment and Industrial Human Resource Development, Data Governance, and Discussion for Future Cooperation. The opening remarks were delivered by Mr Shinji Nakano, Chairman of FJCCIA; H.E. Mr Kazuo Sunaga, Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN; Hon Dr Aladdin D Rillo, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community; and Mr Nobuhiko Sasaki, Chairman & CEO of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).