On February 22, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and the Central Institute of Economic Management (CIEM) held the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asian (ERIA) forum in Melia Hanoi.
This is the third year the forum has been held. With the theme “Vietnam further integrates into the production network in the region”, the conference drew the participation of policy makers, researchers and representatives of big enterprises in Vietnam and the region. The ERIA forum is intended to share experiences in East Asian economic integration among regional countries. At the forum, participants will discuss and find opportunities and prospects for Vietnam to actively integrate into the production network in the region, especially in the Great Mekong Subregion (GMS) and along the East West Economic Corridor.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Cam Tu appreciated the effort to build comprehensive agendas of ERIA institutes, including the important assistance of Cambodia, Laos Myanmar, and Vietnam (CLMV) in order to narrow the development gap. The cooperation has helped strengthen the competitiveness capacity for ASEAN, and contributed to sustainable development and successful integration for the whole region of East Asia. However, Tu noted that the forum should be harmoniously combined with other cooperation frameworks, such as East West Economic Corridor, the cooperation among Cambodia, Lao and Myanmar, in order to maximise benefits to all countries.
Acting Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr Daisuke Matsunaga, affirmed that Vietnam has a strong economic growth rate over the past 5 - 6 years, becoming an attractive destination for foreign investors. Vietnam would play a very important role in ERIA by sharing its experience of success with other nations.
Sharing opinions, Executive Vice President of the JETRO’s Institute of Developing Economies Mr Akifumi Kuchiki (IDE-JETRO), praised Vietnam's geographical position as favourable for economic integration. “Vietnam lies in the region home to three big economies: Japan, China and India, on the East-West Economic Corridor and especially in the ASEAN region, including dynamic economies. Vietnam has also established economic corridors with other neighbouring countries. The issue is how Vietnam can make the best use of those advantages. I believe that Vietnam will integrate further into East Asia's economic block soon.”
The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) was set up in January 2007 on the initiative of Japan at the 2nd East Asia Summit held in Cebu, Philippines, in a bid to boost economic cooperation in ASEAN and the whole region of East Asia. ERIA researches the economy of 16 countries, including 10 ASEAN nations, Northeast Asian nations (China, Japan, and South Korea), India and two Pacific countries (Australia and New Zealand).
Tien Sy
Vietnamese
