ERIA President Discusses ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Pillar with the Minister of Commerce of Cambodia

Jakarta, 23 March 2022, H.E. PAN Sorasak, Minister of Commerce (MOC), Cambodia, and Prof Hidetoshi Nishimura, President of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), held an online courtesy call this morning to discuss the 19 Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Pillar, as endorsed at the 28^th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Retreat on 16 March.

As the Chair of ASEAN in 2022, Cambodia is committed to lead ASEAN under the theme of ‘ASEAN A.C.T: Addressing Challenges Together’, to foster harmony and prosperity in the region. In the discussion, led by H.E. PAN Sorasak, the Minister expressed his utmost appreciation for ERIA’s continuous technical, intellectual and financial support, which is also reflected in ERIA’s longstanding Capacity Building Programme for Cambodian officials.

Prof Hidetoshi Nishimura affirmed ERIA’s commitment to support Cambodia’s Chairmanship, as mandated of ERIA. He went on to note ERIA’s support for Cambodia’s Chairmanship in 2012, and our desire to contribute to the success of this year’s Chairmanship.

Mr ENG Sothyvon, Director, Department of Asia-Pacific, SEOM Lead for Cambodia in 2022, then presented the details of the 19 PEDs, including the objectives and expected outcomes of the PEDs clustered under four ‘Key Strategic Thrusts’. In response to the presentation, Mr Koji Hachiyama, ERIA’s Chief Operating Officer, commented on how ERIA could contribute to the various PEDs. Prof Fukunari Kimura, ERIA’s Chief Economist, also emphasized the importance of these deliverables to support economic integration being challenged by dynamic geopolitical issues. Dr Keita Oikawa, ERIA Economist, then presented the Comprehensive Asia Development Plan 3.0 (CADP 3.0) that covers four pillars including integration, innovation, inclusiveness, and sustainability toward regional economic development, noting how it contributes to the PEDs.

In his closing remarks, H.E. PAN Sorasak welcomed the partnership between Cambodia and ERIA. Prof Hidetoshi Nishimura also reaffirmed ERIA’s full commitment to support the 19 PEDs under the AEC pillar led by the Cambodian chairmanship.