Undersecretary Manlio Di Stefano spoke this morning at the first digital round table of the high-level Italy-ASEAN Economic Dialogue, organised by the Government of Malaysia, the Italy-ASEAN Association and The European House-Ambrosetti.
“Today’s event – began the Undersecretary – shows the importance that Italy gives to strengthening relations with ASEAN, a strategic hub for the whole Asia-Pacific region. It is an organisation whose member countries jointly constitute the 5th largest economy in the world, with a total GDP of about 3,000 billion euros. As a founding member of the European Union, Italy strongly believes in regional integration. It welcomes ASEAN’s contribution to common economic prosperity, peace, and stability in South East Asia. Italy is also ready to play an increasing role in EU-ASEAN dynamics. As a Government we are intensifying our contacts with this industrious area of the world, to increase dialogue at all levels, starting from the economic-commercial one”.
The meeting was an opportunity to draw an overview of the many opportunities for the advancement of economic cooperation between Italy and ASEAN countries, from investments in sustainable infrastructure to energy, digital innovation, logistics and people mobility.
“Italy is ready to cooperate with ASEAN in the fields of space technologies and earth observation, as well as in capacity building in all areas of cooperation with its member countries” – concluded the Undersecretary.
