The ASEAN should begin the arrangement on 'ASEAN travel corridor' thoroughly, measurably, and gradually, starting from 'the essential business travel corridor' that aligns with the tight health protocols.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) drew attention to two key issues during the virtual 36th ASEAN Summit on Friday held to discuss economic revival in the post-pandemic era and regional cooperation.

"The president of the Republic of Indonesia, in his remark, brought up two main issues, with the first pertaining to the importance of the ASEAN to strengthen cooperation concerning the acceleration of ASEAN's economic recovery," Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi stated at the Presidential Palace in Bogor after the high-level meeting.

Jokowi reiterated the declining economic growth owing to the COVID-19 outbreak while also delivering the latest IMF report on revising the world's economic growth to -4.9 percent, from -3 percent as announced earlier, Marsudi added.

With the pressing need for the ASEAN to work together, the head of state noted that connectivity on goods as well as service and economic agents shall soon be boosted.

"The ASEAN should begin preparations on the 'ASEAN travel corridor' thoroughly, measurably, and gradually, starting from 'the essential business travel corridor' that aligns with the stringent health protocols," Marsudi remarked.

Moreover, Jokowi spoke of boosting digital connectivity to broaden the implementation of e-commerce, e-heath and e-learning, including increasing access for the micro, small, and medium enterprises entering the digital platforms.

"Furthermore, President Jokowi highlighted that the signing of the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) this year will hold strategic significance for economic recovery as well as offer a momentum to reinforce economic resilience in the region after COVID-19," Marsudi elaborated.

Marsudi noted that the second aspect was regionalism as a form of deeper cooperation in the ASEAN.

The minister emphasized that the "ASEAN-led mechanism" aims to mobilize regional stability and peace during the new normal era. Concurrently, Indonesia's initiative of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific shall be strengthened on the basis of the inclusive, cooperation, rules-based order, and confidence-building principles.

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Translator: Desca Lidya Natalia, Suwanti
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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