Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia on the opening of ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN-Business Advisory Council (BAC) at Meruorah Komodo Hotel, Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara Province, May 10, 2023

Good afternoon,

Excellencies, ASEAN Leaders,

Distinguished Members of ASEAN-Business Advisory Council,

We should be grateful since ASEAN has been able to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic due to collaboration, partnership, and synergy established between the Government and business sector. In the future, our challenges remain serious as the geopolitical risks are still great and financial institutions in the United States and Europe are falling.

During this situation, we must strengthen our collaboration to maintain ASEAN as the epicentrum of growth. And, ASEAN has a huge economic potential, the region’s economy which grows above global average, demographic dividend, and percentage of middle-class population that is projected to increase by 65 percent by 2030.

Let us join hands to draw up our joint agenda in order to maintain ASEAN as the epicentrum of growth.

I thank you.

(GWH/LW)