Page 42 - ASEAN BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT SUMMIT 2019

42 ABIS 2019

Theme of ASEAN-BAC 2019

This year Thailand assumes ASEAN Chairmanship with the theme of “Advancing Partnership
for Sustainability”. This theme emphasizes on people-centered ASEAN community, that leaves
no one behind and looks to the future of ASEAN, with particular focus on digital ASEAN (future
orientation), seamless ASEAN (enhanced connectivity), and sustainable ASEAN (sustainability in all
dimensions).
The ASEAN’s 2019 theme is aimed at harnessing advanced technologies for the benefits of
people, enhancing the competitiveness for the region through increasing access to digital sphere
and affordable innovation, and finally creating the climate that fosters sustainable development
and inclusive business.
ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) as the apex business organization mandated
by ASEAN Leaders has chosen the 2019 theme “Empowering ASEAN 4.0”, which revolves around
digital economy and is pretty much aligned with ASEAN Chairmanship’s 2019 theme. ASEAN-BAC’s
theme also looks to the future. It acknowledges the impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) on
the region and highlights how ASEAN can continue to thrive and grow up to speed with 4IR. It is
also to ensure that ASEAN Member States shall work together to overcome the evolving challenges
and seize the opportunities of 4IR to sustain ASEAN and make it more inclusive to enhance the
performance of ASEAN’s economies and businesses, especially MSMEs. In this sense, ASEAN
BAC’s theme implies the way forward for ASEAN economy to pursue and become ready for the
transformation to the digital era.
There are four pillars that underpin this ASEAN 4.0 initiative: digital infrastructure, digital
connectivity, human capital empowerment, and MSMEs. Any activities in these pillars can advance
ASEAN’s development and prosperity, particularly if we have been well prepared for the 4IR.
Effectual digital infrastructure will strengthen digital ecosystem and promote smart city
through applying IT with smart infrastructure. The development of digital infrastructure is aimed
at dealing with the limited broadband access internet in rural areas, especially in some ASEAN
countries with vast population such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, where
internet connectivity remains relatively poor. When digital infrastructure is on the right track, it
offers opportunities for the digital connectivity, both internally and externally.
The initiative on the regional digital trade platform is also to enhance digital ecosystem. This
platform will convert paper-based into paperless activity associated with digital trade transformation
and digital trade connectivity. The so-called “Digital trade connect” is used to link with the countries
in terms of international trade, e-commerce, and e-payment. Such platform can be an engine of