Malaysia's International Trade And Industry Minister To Attend AEM Meeting In Manila

KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's International Trade and Industry Minister (Miti) Mustapa Mohamed will attend the 23rd ASEAN Economic Ministers' (AEM) Retreat and Related Meetings in Manila from March 8-10. In a statement Tuesday, Miti said the ASEAN economic ministers would exchange views and deliberate on commemorative activities for the 50th Anniversary of the regional grouping, Priority Deliverables for 2017, the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Blueprint 2025, addressing challenges on trade facilitation measures, Non-Tariff Barriers/Non-Tariff Measures and progress in integration of other economic sectors. "The economic ministers are also expected to deliberate on accelerating the pace of negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)," it added. The 15th AEM-EU Consultations would also be held on the sidelines of the AEM Retreat to discuss the way forward for the formal region-to-region talks towards the possible resumption of the ASEAN-EU Free Trade Area. Apart from these meetings, the economic ministers would meet representatives from the ASEAN Business Advisory Council and ASEAN-EU Business Council. Meanwhile, the working visit to Manila is also part of MITI's continuous efforts at further intensifying trade and investment relations between the two countries. Mustapa would meet with the Philippine-Malaysia Business Council and Malaysia-Philippines Business Council, as well as, have a session with the business community in the Philippines. These meetings are aimed at further enhancing the Malaysia-Philippines economic ties, strengthening business to business collaboration and potential opportunities for tie-ups in the halal industry. Mustapa will also inaugurate an infrastructure project by AlloyMtd Group in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija. -- BERNAMA