On 10 April 2015, Japanese business leaders met Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Le Luong Minh, and discussed trade and investment opportunities in the region during their visit to Jakarta. The economic mission of nearly 20 senior executives from Japan's large companies was led by Mr. Sadayuki Sakakibara, Chairman of Keidanren (Japan Business Federation).
On March 30, 2015 the Federal Law on Priority Development Areas in the Russian Federation has come into force.
The Federal Law defines priority development areas as part of the territory of the Russian Federation constituent entity where a special legal status is established for entrepreneurial and other activities with the aim of creating a favourable environment for attracting investments, ensuring accelerated economic growth and creating comfortable living conditions.
In accordance with the Federal Law, a PDA is established for 70 years following a Government decision, and its term can be extended.
During his visit to Vietnam, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev emphasized that the free trade area agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Vietnam will be signed shortly. The FTA will increase bilateral trade turnover by USD10 billion by 2020.
Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road was released by the National Development and Reform Commission of the People's Republic of China.
The Chinese government has drafted and published the Vision and Actions to promote the implementation of the Initiative, instill vigor and vitality into the ancient Silk Road, connect Asian, European and African countries more closely and promote mutually beneficial cooperation to a new high and in new forms.
The Belt and Road Initiative is a systematic project, which should be jointly built through consultation to meet the interests of all, and efforts should be made to integrate the development strategies of the countries along the Belt and Road.
The Philippines 2015 APEC presidency for the first time in the APEC history will hold a series of important meetings with private sector participation, including expert dialogues, trade ministers, finance ministers, transport ministers and energy ministers meetings.
The schedule of APEC meetings with private sector participation
On 18 March 2015 an expanded meeting of the National Coordination Center for Developing Economic Cooperation with the Countries of Asia-Pacific Region (NCC APR) was held on the margins of the Russian Business Week. The NCC members, including the NCC Supervisory Board members, representatives of the leading Russian business associations, companies, businesses from Asia-Pacific region, working in Russia, government authorities, academic community discussed the ways to extend Russia-APR cooperation and associated challenges.
A recent Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) report on the 50 Leading Companies for Women in the region is available now. The companies recognized in the report were nominated and selected by APEC member economies and industry associations throughout the Asia-Pacific.
World Bank Group’s first Investment Climate Assessment report in Myanmar is released. Access to finance is the top constraint for private enterprises as Myanmar’s economy undergoes market-oriented reforms after emerging from decades of isolation, and addressing this and other challenges will help create a strong private sector to drive the country’s future growth and create much-needed jobs, the World Bank Group’s first Investment Climate Assessment report in Myanmar finds.
Focusing Myanmar’s economic reforms on removing these obstacles will create a better business environment and enhance the productivity and efficiency of private enterprises allowing them to grow and flourish, the report finds.
“Myanmar has the potential for enormous growth. To realize this potential it is essential to create space for entrepreneurship. A vibrant private sector can generate jobs, and spur growth,” said Kaushik Basu, the World Bank’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President. "Creating a level-playing field for the private sector will help unleash its potential. Government's role is to provide an efficient regulatory system that encourages and facilitates individual creativity."
“The government is fully committed to engaging the business community in shaping business-friendly laws and regulations through regular and coordinated public-private dialogues,” said U Tin Naing Thein, Union Minister for the Ministry of President Office. “The Investment Climate Assessment report facilitates this dialogue process by helping to identify and prioritize a common set of issues facing the private sector.”
Full report “Myanmar - Investment climate assessment: sustaining reforms in a time of transition”
Press-release at the World Bank web-site
OECD released Indonesia Economic Survey and Education Policy Review.
The Economic Survey looks at macroeconomic policy challenges, Indonesia`s policies for inclusive and sustainable growth, regulatory framework improving and dealing with corruption, natural resources management and combating environmental degradation.
The Education Policy Review focuses on challenges Indonesia`s education system faces as well as needs to be addressed, in particular by raising quality, widening participation, and improving efficiency of education system.
OECD Economic Survey of Indonesia 2015
Education in Indonesia
OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría Speech
On February 28 - March 1, 2015 21st ASEAN Economic Ministers' Retreat was held. The participants expressed confidence that the region's economies will maintain their momentum in 2015 despite the global economic and geopolitical challenges. They emphasised that the deepening economic integration in the region would serve as a buffer in helping ASEAN progress and prosper.