PREPARATORY MEETING FOR THE ASEAN ECONOMIC MINISTERS’ MEETING COMMENCES. Senior trade officials from 10 ASEAN Members States (AMS) gathered for a two-day preparatory meeting (5-6 September 2017) to refine points of discussion and agenda items that will feed into the 49th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting and Related Meetings to be held on 7-11 September 2017, hosted by the Philippines, as chair of ASEAN 2017. The AEM meetings will focus on the strategic measures to pursue an “inclusive and innovation-led growth” thru increasing trade and investment, integrating the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the global value chains, and developing an innovation-driven economy. (From Left to Right) Malaysia – Ministry of International Trade and Industry Deputy Secretary General Datuk Isham Ishak, Myanmar – Ministry of Planning and Finance Director General Tun Tun Naing, Philippines – Department of Trade and Industry Bureau of International Trade Relations Director Ann Claire Cabochan, Thailand – Ministry of Commerce Department of Trade Negotiations Director General Boonyarit Kalanamit, Viet Nam – Ministry of Industry and Trade Deputy Director General Nguyen Thi Quynh Nga, ASEAN Senior Economic Official Chair and Philippine Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Anna Maria Rosario Robeniol, Singapore – Ministry of Trade and Industry Director-ASEAN Division Alphana Roy, Brunei Darussalam – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Deputy Permanent Secretary Norashikin Johari, Cambodia – Ministry of Commerce Director General Sim Sokheng, Indonesia – Ministry of Trade Director of ASEAN Negotiations Donna Gultom, Lao PDR – Ministry of Industry and Commerce Director General Laohoua Cheuching, and ASEAN Secretariat Deputy Secretary General Hong Hin Lim.
