Delegation of U.S. Businesses Engage with ASEAN Counterparts to Affirm Support for Regional Economic Integration
(Jakarta) On December 8-9, the US-ASEAN Business Council held its annual ASEAN Business Mission after a hiatus since 2019 due to the pandemic. Seven leading U.S. companies across various industries such as financial services, ICT, transportation, and travel & tourism engaged with key ASEAN stakeholders to further enhance private sector relations on the common interests of ASEAN’s regional integration initiatives. The Mission was led by Taufikurrahman, the Council’s Chief Representative for Indonesia.
The delegation met with the Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Lim Jock Hoi and a number of ASEAN Secretariat high-level officials including the ASEAN Business Advisory Council of Indonesia and ASEAN Centre for Energy. The delegation also engaged with the Cambodia Permanent Representative to ASEAN, H.E. Yeap Samnang and the Indonesia Permanent Representative to ASEAN, H.E. M.I. Derry Aman during a panel discussion program; the U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN Yohannes Abraham; as well as with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Finance, and the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs. The delegation also had an intimate discussion with Dr. Muhamad Chatib Basri, the former Minister of Finance of Indonesia (2013 – 2014) during a fireside chat session themed “Towards a More Integrated Region: ASEAN amidst Geopolitical and Geoeconomics Shift”.
This year’s Mission focused on deepening private sector’s relations with ASEAN stakeholders, and understanding the aspirations for ASEAN’s future across the three ASEAN Community pillars amidst a changing geopolitical landscape. As Indonesia chairs ASEAN next year, the delegation discussed the agenda and priority deliverables of ASEAN 2023 and explored opportunities on how the U.S. private sector can support.
During the meeting with the Secretary-General, the Council commended the longstanding relationship and continued support that the ASEAN Secretariat has extended to the Council, and for opening up a channel for business stakeholders to engage with ASEAN Secretariat officials, especially under SG Lim Jock Hoi’s leadership.
“The Council’s ASEAN Committee comprises of member companies who have interest in promoting regulatory harmonization to advance regional economic integration in ASEAN.” said Taufikurrahman. “We envision ASEAN as a cohesive single market that is modern and business friendly. To that end, we look forward to strengthening public and private consultations in ASEAN’s decision-making processes and hope that ASEAN sees the U.S. private sector as a key partner in realizing these goals.”
The Council’s engagement with the ASEAN Secretariat has been the cornerstone of its expanding participation in various ASEAN Ministerial Meetings. In 2022, apart from the 23rd annual engagement with the ASEAN Economic Ministers, the Council has participated in the meetings of ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, ASEAN Agriculture & Forestry Ministers, ASEAN Energy Ministers, ASEAN Transport Ministers, ASEAN Tourism Ministers, ASEAN Digital Ministers, and ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity.
US-ABC member companies participating in the mission includes Visa, Cisco, SAP, FedEx, Boeing, Mastercard, and Landmark Public Affairs.