On 23 July 2018, the 11^th Dialogue between Secretary General of ASEAN and the Federation of Japanese Chambers of Commerce and Industry in ASEAN (FJCCIA) was held, where H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN was welcomed. From the Mission of Japan to ASEAN, H.E. Ambassador Kazuo Sunaga attended the meeting in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
 

1. The FJCCIA made 10 proposals categorized in 3 pillars, namely to promote a “Responsive ASEAN,” to strengthen businesses towards steady industry upgrading, and to create and adopt new values. In response, the ASEAN Secretariat shared the current situation and future actions on the proposals.
    
2. Ambassador Sunaga expressed his gratitude for the participation of Secretary General Dato Lim and pointed out the importance of this Dialogue. He stated that trade and investment by Japanese companies to ASEAN countries are underpinning the Japan-ASEAN relations, which mark the 45^th Anniversary of Friendship and Cooperation this year. He also stated that Japan would make utmost efforts toward an early singing of the Protocol to Amend the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Agreement and a swift conclusion of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations.
    
3. Secretary General Dato Lim stated that this Dialogue provides an important avenue for the FJCCIA to address regional issues faced by Japanese companies operating in the region through the ASEAN Secretariat. He said that this Dialogue strengthens policymaking by obtaining valuable private sector inputs, creating momentum for improvements and fostering mutually beneficial cooperation between Japan and ASEAN.

 
Related link
ASEAN Secretariat News 24 July 2018: ASEAN Secretary-General highlights closer engagement with Japan’s private sector
http://asean.org/asean-secretary-general-highlights-closer-engagement-japans-private-sector/