Deputy Prime Minister Vu khoan in his welcoming speech has confirmed that the Asia – Europe corporation (ASEM) including world major economies counting for world’s 60% DGP and more than 40% market during 8 year which reflect the trend of globalization, as well as the desire for prosperity to both continents. However, the scope and practice of cooperation matches neither the potentials of the two continents nor the needs of the new situation.

Following their meetings with officials from ASEm member countries in their morning, delegates spent their afternoon exchanging views on specific issues in seven groups.
The trade group discussed such issues as securing better market access for developing member countries, promoting trade and the exchange of information, links among Trade Support Organisation (TSO) in the two regions and inter-regional commercial events such as an ASEM Trade Fair.

They also discuss tariff cuts the necessity of instituting settlementmechanisms for all businesses in case of diputes, simplifying requirements for visa/travel permits for bussiness people from member countries. The group held that customs procedures should be simplefied and the automation of customs documentation should be introduced to enhance transparancy and the reduction of physical inspection of with a view to lowering transactions costs and increasing efficiency. Standards shoould be transparent and made available in due time. Assistance and capacity building shoul be provided to developing countries.

Participants of the investment and infrastructure group stressed coooperation aimed at increasing the number of viable orojects through promoting efficient investments, mobilising private sector capability in the ralization of projects, and mixing adequately public and private particpation, local and international finacing. They discussed the organization of a conference on public – private partnership, the training of public-private partnership, the training of public authorities and experts in order to promote efficient preparations and management of key infrastructure project.

Meanwhile, delegates attending the finacial servieces group called for governments’ support in the development of capital markets, with the emphasis on bond markets, the need to improve the regulatory framework, consumer education and tax simplefication to encourage private pension funds to sopplement the role of of public shcemes in supportig pensioners.

They held that transparentcy is the key issue in building trust between finacial service providers and the corporate sector and that remittance from oversea should be channeled through the formal finacial system.

Many delegates in the Information and Communications Technologies group called on ASEM member countries to promote e-government and e-based public services. Pricing of e-services. Pricing of e-services should be kept moderate to ensure that digital services are available to all and people in rural and remote areas could access these services. Special assistance should be geared to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.

They dicussed issues related to the enhancement of e-commerce between Asia and Europe to increase trade efficiency, the establishment of common standards, for e-commerce transactions, the transparency in ICT policies and related areas.

The food working group exchanged views on the application of unilateral sanctions which, delegates stressed, should be minimised. They said that trade promotion measures shoul also be reduced. For applying countries, that would be useful to increase the competition capability of domestic enterprises.

They proposed establishing a “Rapid Alert” system between the two continents with a common governing agency. Whenever there is an outbreak of an infectious animal disease or a food safety incident that threatens public health in one country, that country has to notify the agency and all other countries immediately.

Delegates involved in the tourism group stressed the need to enhance susstainable tourim development for all memmber. ASEM member should make strong efforts to cuts red tape, reduce and speed up immigration procedures, improve external communications and internal transportaion. ASEM members should share experinces in preserving historical, cultural and natural heritage. They said ASEm bmebers’tourist associations should organise an annual “tourism forum” for better cooperation.

The SMEs group called for developing and updateing existing tools (ASEM connect system) in order to interconnect existing websites for SMEs in Europe and Asia, promoting the increasng of globalisation of SMEs through targeted business meetings, and enhancing acess to financing for SMEs.

To be hold before hand the summit conferrence, the AEBF IX will offer a good opportunity for Asia - Europe business to meet and give out recommendations to their Governments in order to lift barrier, to resolve disputes and open new ways in corporation.