EU, ASEAN TO BOOST TRADE COOPERATION

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 (Bernama) -- The European Union (EU) hopes that the hosting of the two-day seminar, starting here Monday, will help boost trade cooperation with the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean).

In a statement here Monday, the EU said the seminar, themed 'Customs and
Trade Facilitation' aimed to foster dialogue and discussions between key
partners and stakeholders in the EU and Asean.

Ambassador/Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Malaysia,
Vincent Piket, said the seminar was part of the EU-funded programme,
Trans-Regional EU-Asean Trade Initiative (Treati) which included the promotion
of greater cooperation on regulatory issues and supported the Asean's push for
greater economic integration.

"The seminar we are hosting today hopes to address critical issues in
Customs and international trade which may pose a challenge to us if it is not
addressed adequately.

"This is especially critical as we seek ways to increase international trade
between EU and Asean including Malaysia as a means to stay competitive during
this period of economic uncertainty," he said.

The seminar was held in collaboration with Malaysia's Ministry of
International Trade and Industry.
-- BERNAMA