At the conference, HLTF-EI discussed issues such as initiatives aimed at enhancing ASEAN economic integration, structural and institutional reform within ASEAN and commercial policies linking ASEAN member countries. They also discussed the bloc’s external economic relations and its central role in newly-emerging areas.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade and Head of the Vietnamese delegation at the conference, Nguyen Cam Tu said that the results of this conference as well as the previous sessions will be submitted to the AEM-42 which will discuss ASEAN’s economic issues and the building of an ASEAN Economic Community.

The AEM-42 aims to prepare for the 17^th ASEAN Meeting- an important event for a year during which Vietnam holds the ASEAN Chair.