Labuan Bajo – President Joko Widodo managed to unite ASEAN by agreeing on ASEAN as the Epicentrum of Growth at the 2023 ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara. President Jokowi wants ASEAN to become the center of global economic growth, not only to contribute to stability and security, ASEAN must be able to maintain economic growth.
“Let’s work closely together to formulate a common agenda, to ensure that this region continues to become the Epicentrum of Growth and the center of the global economy,” said President Jokowi during the 42nd ASEAN Summit, in Labuan Bajo NTT, Friday (12/5).
This is supported by the enormous economic potential of the ASEAN region, accompanied by an economy that is growing above the world average, and is currently entering a demographic bonus period, with the number of middle class people who will continue to increase to 65% in 2030.
Furthermore, President Jokowi conveyed several strategies going forward. First, the need to consolidate a joint response to address the global economy. Second, collaboration in preparing the ASEAN Agenda for 2045. Third, encouraging concrete and inclusive cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, including through support at the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) in September 2023.
“Partnerships and collaboration between the business world and the government must be further strengthened in order to continue to ensure that this region becomes the Epicentrum of Growth,” concluded President Jokowi.
ASEAN agreed to continue working on implementing local currency transactions and strengthening digital payment connectivity between countries, President Jokowi added
The implementation of local currency transactions is in line with the aim of ASEAN centrality, for Southeast Asian countries to become strong and independent,” the president added.
On a different occasion, Chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Arsjad Rasjid said ASEAN would become the center of stability and the world economy in 2045.
Arsjad assesses that various processes in this direction will be compiled in a roadmap to realize ASEAN as a growth center that innovates towards greater inclusivity, such as strengthening centrality, utilizing innovative solutions, to advocating inclusivity to increase regional resilience.
“ASEAN-BAC together with partners continues to innovate in preparing the roadmap so that ASEAN will become a stable, peaceful region and become the center of stability and the world economy in 2045,” said Arsjad.
In addition, Arsjad explained that the government represents the regional business sector, ASEAN-BAC continues to make ASEAN an area that upholds inclusive values for everyone to continue to grow together.
