ABIS 2023 Creates Legacy for ASEAN Economic Landscape
The ASEAN Business & Investment Summit (ABIS) 2023 has created a legacy for the future of the ASEAN economic landscape.
IDXChannel - Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), Arsjad Rasjid, is optimistic that the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit (ABIS) 2023 has created a legacy for the future of the ASEAN economic landscape.
According to him, ASEAN has garnered global attention due to its undeniable strength, demonstrated by its ability to endure and even thrive amidst global crises and geopolitical challenges.
The statement was delivered during the opening remarks of the ABIS 2023 Summit at the Sultan Hotel, Jakarta, on Sunday (9/3/2023). The ABIS 2023 Summit convened more than 2,000 world leaders, including government officials, CEOs, and senior executives from 50 countries.
"In the past, many might have been pessimistic about how ASEAN would fare as a regional group. Doubts were dispelled when ASEAN managed to grow amid global crises that had weakened the economies of advanced nations. Oops, allow me to correct my words; we didn't just survive, we also harnessed our potential as a center of growth," stated Arsjad.
He revealed that ASEAN's growth is inseparable from the cooperation that has been established and maintained despite the many differences among its member countries.
“Diversity undeniably enriches us, our solidarity creates a stronger community, and our confidence leads us to remarkable growth," said Arsjad.
Expanding on this, Arsjad revealed that under Indonesia's leadership, ASEAN-BAC embraces ASEAN Centrality through innovation and inclusivity.
He explained that understanding ASEAN Centrality goes beyond recognizing our strategic geographical position. It also involves dismantling compartmentalized thinking that hindered ASEAN's collective growth, reviewing ASEAN's economic resilience across various sectors, and reshaping ASEAN's engagement consolidation with key partners.
"My first question since taking office as the Chairman of ASEAN BAC in January 2023 was, What do we want? As Southeast Asian economies, as ASEAN? Do we want to maintain stagnant and less impactful GDP growth? Do we want to continue importing more strategic commodities? Do we want to align with the West or the East?" said Arsjad.
He continued by stating that these questions led ASEAN-BAC to embark on its mission by visiting member countries and strategic economic partners. Through various interactions, ASEAN-BAC gathered all aspirations on how ASEAN should progress.
All these aspirations were translated into policy recommendations. The policy inputs were presented to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), who serves as the Chairman of ASEAN 2023, on September 1 at the Presidential Palace.
"President Jokowi supports ASEAN-BAC's mission to promote ASEAN Incorporated, which encourages close cooperation between the public and private sectors in building the ASEAN region," concluded Arsjad. (WHY)