Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh, in his capacity as Chairman of ASEAN Economic Ministers, held a phone call with ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi on May 6 to discuss plans on the pathway to economic recovery as well as the state of regional supply chains following the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh holds a phone
conversation ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi

During the discussions both sides agreed that the ongoing COVID-19 situation globally is serving to not only cause serious harm to people's health, but also to greatly disrupt supply chains. As a result of disruption occurring in supply chains, plenty of regional and global economies are beginning to feel the strain.

The pair also touched upon some of the guidance adopted by regional leaders during the ASEAN+3 Summit which was held to discuss the region’s collective response to the COVID-19.

Minister Anh affirmed that the country is striving to respond quickly to help boost supply chains and the regional economy amid the negative impact of the virus.

Acting in its capacity as Chair of ASEAN, Vietnam is therefore supportive of devising a collective economic recovery plan in order to prevent the negative impacts of the epidemic being felt.

Moreover, Minister Anh and the ASEAN chief also pledged to monitor and promote the efforts of ASEAN member states to work alongside their three partners, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, to adopt the ASEAN+3’s Ministerial statement on the future response to the COVID-19.

Minister Anh thanked the ASEAN General Secretary for his great support of the nation in promoting its role as ASEAN Chair, as well as the proposal to issue the ASEAN Economic Ministers' Joint Statement on Strengthening ASEAN's Economic Resilience in Response to the Outbreak of COVID-19 at the ASEAN Economic Ministers Retreat which took place in March 2020.

Along with this, Minister Anh also shared information regarding the Prime Minister's decision to permit the temporary removal of restrictions on the export of medical products such as masks, whilst also removing quotas for rice exports. As such, this displays a spirit of collective responsibility that ensures a sufficient food supply for the entire ASEAN Community in accordance with declarations made and adopted by various ASEAN economic ministers and country partners.