Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Focus at Cambodia-ASEAN Business Summit 2025
The Cambodia-ASEAN Business Summit 2025 kicked off on March 6, with a strong emphasis on regional economic cooperation and integration. The summit, themed "Accelerating ASEAN’s Connectivity: People, Infrastructure, and Trade", brought together key government and business leaders to explore opportunities and strategies for strengthening economic ties within the ASEAN region.
Keynote Address by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet
In his keynote address at the opening ceremony, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet highlighted Cambodia’s commitment to fostering a resilient, sustainable, inclusive, and competitive ASEAN Economic Community. He stated, "The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has established itself as a beacon of stability and prosperity, with immense potential highlighted by its status as the world’s fifth largest economy." He underlined that infrastructure development, digital connectivity, and trade facilitation were key drivers of regional economic growth and integration.
Infrastructure Development: A Key Pillar of Regional Integration
President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, Kith Meng, emphasized the importance of infrastructure development in regional integration. "We need to double down on our effort to prioritize investments in physical infrastructure – roads, railways, ports – as well as digital connectivity," he said. He added that the summit reflected ASEAN’s cooperation and collaboration in countering the resurging pursuit of economic decoupling and isolation.
ASEAN’s Economic Outlook
With a projected combined GDP of US$10 trillion by 2030, ASEAN would become the world’s fourth-largest economy, according to Meng. ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
High-Level Discussions and Outcomes
The one-day summit facilitated high-level discussions on critical issues such as infrastructure development, trade and investment, human capital development, and the role of technology and innovation in driving economic growth. The event aimed to accelerate ASEAN’s connectivity and promote sustainable economic development in the region.
Conclusion
The Cambodia-ASEAN Business Summit 2025 has provided a platform for key stakeholders to come together and discuss the future of regional economic cooperation and integration. As ASEAN continues to grow and develop, it is crucial that countries prioritize infrastructure development, digital connectivity, and trade facilitation to drive economic growth and integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the theme of the Cambodia-ASEAN Business Summit 2025?
"Accelerating ASEAN’s Connectivity: People, Infrastructure, and Trade" - What are the key drivers of regional economic growth and integration, according to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet?
Infrastructure development, digital connectivity, and trade facilitation - How much is ASEAN’s projected combined GDP by 2030?
US$10 trillion - Which countries are part of ASEAN?
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam