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WHAT IS THE ASEAN IMPACT CHALLENGE

A regional programme designed to discover innovators from Southeast Asia who are accelerating
the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through cross-sector partnerships and
disruptive innovations. The Challenge presents opportunities to identify and strengthen new
innovations and to achieve select outcomes around the SDGs.

THIS YEAR’S THEME INCLUSIVE INNOVATIONS

As we live in a world that is becoming increasingly more connected, there needs to be new ways
of enabling all of humanity to prosper and succeed—together. Specifically in the ASEAN region,
its unique challenges and opportunities require a more cohesive, inclusive approach that engages
all levels of society on diverse issues and outcomes.

This year’s challenge is themed ‘Inclusive Innovations for ASEAN’ and hopes to discover
innovations from citizens and the private sector that are delivering on the inclusivity agenda and
the Sustainable Development Goals in the region through the power of entrepreneurship and
collaboration.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is poised to champion the Philippine trade agenda as it
takes helm of the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting (AEM) Retreat and Related Meetings on March 8
to 10 to be participated in by the 10 trade ministers from Asean member states (AMS).

As lead agency for the Asean Economic Community (AEC) pillar, DTI led by Secretary Ramon Lopez will
promote one of the current thematic priorities of Asean on “inclusive, innovation-led growth” for shared
prosperity. The other two pillars touch on politico-security and socio-cultural.

Increasing trade and investment, integrating the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the
global value chains and developing an innovation-driven economy are the identified measures to
achieve said priority.

“Our strategic measures are consistent with our current agenda to promote employment and
entrepreneurship. The AEM is an excellent platform to push for the country’s core thrusts on trade and
investment, MSME development and innovation,” said Lopez, who will serve as the chair of AEM
Retreat and Related Meetings.

Lopez, however, ensured that his meeting’s chairmanship will be “fair, workable, rational and inclusive”
among AMS.

The AEM aims at strengthening partnership with stakeholders to expand knowledge and utilization of
Asean-related free trade and economic agreements, provisions and initiatives, including the benefits
that an Asean national can receive.
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“It’s time for us to make people feel that their membership in Asean is relevant to their day-to-day
experience,” Lopez said, adding that DTI’s hosting also presents good opportunity to raise awareness, to
promote understanding on the AEC and the Philippine participation in it, and to re-tell the country’s
growth story.

On increasing trade and investment, Lopez said the creation of a sound policy environment and the
right mix of support programs are crucial to improve the capacity of businesses to expand, upgrade and
diversify.

He said the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), an agreement involving the 10 AMS
and the six dialogue partners will expand the Asean market from 600 million to 3.5 billion.

DTI will be pushing for the substantial conclusion of RCEP by year-end at the AEM, according to him.

On MSME development, Lopez said the thrust continues for instituting an enabling environment that
allows the sector to develop and internationalize through e-commerce, as well as policies that ease the
cost of doing business and provide skills and business training and facilitate the link with the global value
chain.

The country will also prod Asean to embrace the evolving digital technology as leverage to enhance
trade and investment, to provide an e-based business platform and to promote good governance and
green technology.

“We hope to gather, harmonize and mobilize public-private efforts towards taking full advantage of
opportunities under the AEC,” Lopez said.

Asean 2017 is themed “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.”

Following the AEM Retreat and Related Meetings is the ASEAN Summit in April to be chaired by
President Duterte. The bigger meeting 49th AEM, meanwhile, is scheduled in September 2017.