Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh. (Photo: VNA)

During an interview on the sidelines of a recent economic ministers’ consultation between ASEAN and dialogue partners, Deputy Minister Khanh noted the theme of Brunei’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2021 as “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”, with 13 priorities and initiatives on economic cooperation.

Aside from implementing these initiatives, Vietnam and other ASEAN countries have also actively discussed the continuation of the economic cooperation initiatives proposed by Vietnam as the Chair of the bloc in 2020.

ASEAN countries also agreed to maintain the current market opening commitments relevant to trade and investment and to increase trade facilitation measures,  Mr. Khanh added.

Amid the complex COVID-19 pandemic, both ASEAN members and partners hope RCEP will take effect soon, in early 2022, to promote trade and investment, thus helping with the post-pandemic economic recovery in the region, he said.