Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs H. E. Mr. M. Hatta Rajasa gave his remarks at the closing of the ASEAN-Latin Business Forum 2012 in Jakarta 10 July 2012. He stated that through the two-day forum, ASEAN and Latin America and the Caribbean have shared their visions and come to an understanding through their commonalities and not through differences. He suggested that ASEAN and Latin America and the Caribbean should work together on future frameworks, agreements and action plans and other actions that shall be able to expand relations in both traditional and innovative industries of the two regions. These would include not only on trade and investment but also technology, tourism, culture and social development sectors. Minister Hatta Rajasa believes that ASEAN and Latin America and the Caribbean shall be able to enhance a sustainable cooperation for the welfare of the two regions.
Earlier in the day, the Forum received a special visit from the Director of the International Monetary Fund, Madame Christine Lagarde who in her remarks specifically stated that the IMF was pleased to see improvements of the Indonesian economy and praised for its continuing growth. She was accompanied by the Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wiryawan and the Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, Dr. Makarim Wibisono.
In the concluding sessions, participants of the ASEAN - Latin Business Forum 2012 agreed that the Forum has done a tremendous achievement that bridged the two zones to enhance growth of the existing network and trade ties and build up new paths for a sustainable future for the two regions through the areas of green economy, capacity building, small and medium enterprises and further actions for food security, infrastructure and energy security. The two regions shall work together in overcoming the zones' distance barrier.
The ASEAN-Latin Business Forum held in Jakarta on 9-10 July 2012 was the last leg of the three-forums initiated by the ASEAN Foundation and the Inter-American Development Bank. It was attended by relevant regional economic authorities, government leaders, think tanks, business associations and educational institutions. The Indonesian Ministry of Trade and other relevant ministries and government institutions greatly supported the event. The first forum was held at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta and second in Bangkok in October 2009 and November 2010, respectively.
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