Asean members must enhance trade, investments to spur recovery from pandemic — Romualdez

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez confers with a fellow ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly delegate from Singapore, before their interface with heads of Asean member-states on Wednesday. (Photo from ASEAN 2023 Host Photographer/ Office of Speaker Romualdez)

Romualdez, who is with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his trip to Indonesia for the 42nd Asean Summit, said that diversifying economies and ensuring digitalization would also be key to economic gains.

“As we navigate the post-pandemic era, we must enhance trade and investment among ASEAN countries, prioritize expanding and diversifying our economies and develop digital infrastructure and supply chains,” he said.

“These actions will improve connectivity among our nations, facilitate the movement of goods, services, and people, and promote greater cooperation in areas such as science and technology, innovation, and human capital development. By doing so, we can enhance the competitiveness of our economies and position ourselves for sustained growth,” he added.

The Speaker said that the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration that COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency could increase mobility, economic activities, and job and income opportunities for workers across Asean member nations.

He, however, pointed out that member-states should still focus on improving the healthcare and social protection of the people.

Aside from being part of Marcos’s team in Indonesia, Romualdez represented the Philippine delegation during the Asean Interparliamentary Assembly (AIPA), which was held on the first day of the summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia.

The House leader also stressed that there should be coordinated action on climate resilience to ensure a sustainable environment for Asean countries.  (With reports from Aliah Gumasing, trainee)

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