Present at the forum were Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi, ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan, and Vice-President of the European Commission (EC) Antonio Tajani, along with representatives from 10 ASEAN member nations and from international economic and financial organizations such as the World Bank (WB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and development (OECD).

In his speech, Italian FM Terzi said the close relationship between Italy and ASEAN nations has greatly contributed to Italy’s prosperity.

Italy’s export earnings to the ASEAN market have posted rapid growth to approximately US$6 billion in recent years. However, trade and investment cooperation of each side is still far from matching the potential for future cooperation.

Italy’s exports to ASEAN account for just 2 percent of its total export earnings.

Mr Terzi said he hopes Italy and ASEAN nations will cooperate better than before.

EC Vice-President Tajani highlighted the great significance of the forum to deepen relations between the EU and ASEAN.

For his part, ASEAN Secretary General Pitsuwan expressed ASEAN’s wish to attract more investment from Italy in trade and tourism.

ASEAN has become a dynamic, developing region with a wealth of opportunity for cooperation and investment, he added.