Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc chairs ASEAN leaders’ interface with ASEAN Business Advisory Council. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc affirmed the significance of businesses in ASEAN development at the ASEAN leaders’ interface with representatives of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) on Friday.

He shared the difficulties of the ASEAN business community during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply-demand chains and suspended service industries.

Entrepreneurs and the business community are the ones who feel the most severe impacts when many production facilities were closed, suspended or went bankrupt, he said.

Governments of ASEAN countries always regard enterprises as the key element of development and prosperity. In the context of the pandemic, ASEAN is more aware of the important role of businesses on the economic front, he said.

ASEAN governments are committed to doing their best to support the business community and entrepreneurs to overcome the challenges, quickly recover, resume services and develop production, he said.

ASEAN leaders held a special summit and the ASEAN+3 Summit on April 14 and issued a joint statement on responding to COVID-19.

ASEAN economic ministers joined many meetings and proposed solutions to support businesses, such as eliminating and reducing non-tariff barriers, as well as assisting customs procedures.

PM Phúc emphasised that intra-ASEAN service and goods exchanges must be given priority in this context.

He thanked the ASEAN Business Advisory Council for being proactive in making recommendations to ASEAN leaders and agencies to offer appropriate and timely supports to the businesses.

Highlighting the necessity of an economic recovery plan and the resumption of co-operation activities, Phúc said this process would require more efforts from the governments and communities including businesses.

"ASEAN countries look forward to listening to practical contributions and suggestions from enterprises to reduce the negative impacts of the pandemic, gradually recover production and business towards a cohesive and responsive community," he said. — VNS