The ASEAN 100 Leadership Forum was first held in Hanoi on August 23 by the media group Asia Inc Forum and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

Under the theme “The development trend of Southeast Asia in the future”, the forum attracted more than 200 entrepreneurs and representatives from Government agencies and social organisations in Southeast Asia.

The forum provides a good opportunity for dynamic and creative new-generation leaders in all regional countries to exchange views on important issues such as reducing poverty, bridging social gaps and attracting capital resources.

In a key-note speech, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said, “ The organisation of the forum is of great significance as ASEAN member countries are celebrating ASEAN’s 40^th anniversary. We are delighted at the tremendous achievements recorded by ASEAN during the past 40 years. ASEAN now has 10 Southeast Asian nations with a population of nearly 600 million co-existing in peace, mutual understanding and trust towards comprehensive cooperation and close linkage. ASEAN has become an important political and economic entity, serving as a driving force behind the cooperation and linkage in the Asia Pacific region. ASEAN is an integral part of regional policies of large countries in the world and has been evaluated as the world’ most successful cooperation organisation.”

Since becoming an ASEAN member 12 years ago, Vietnam has made significant contributions to working out cooperation orientations and major policies such as the 2020 Vision, the Hanoi Action Programme, the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II (Bali Concord II) on building an ASEAN Community and the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP). The country has played an active role in boosting ASEAN cooperation in politics, security, economics and foreign affairs.

During the past 12 years, economic, trade and investment co-operation between Vietnam and other ASEAN member countries have been developing strongly. Two-way trade turnover in 2006 reached US$20 billion, up nearly 40 percent compared to 2005. ASEAN member countries are currently involved in nearly 1,000 projects worth more than US$13 billion, accounting for nearly 20 percent of Vietnam’s total foreign investment capital while the country has more than 120 projects worth around US$700 million in other ASEAN countries.

PM Dung pointed out a number of opportunities for trade and investment in Vietnam arising from high economic growth in the past 20 years with an annual average rate of 7-8 percent, the constant development of socio-economic infrastructure, abundant and cheap labour forces, increasing social and political security and public order. Vietnam’s population of 85 million ranks second in Southeast Asia and it will reach 100 million in the near future. Vietnamese people are industrious and dynamic and highly educated and quickly adapted new things easily. By 2006, Vietnam already fulfilled the millennium development goals on poverty reduction, 10 years ahead of time.

PM Dung affirmed that Vietnam consistently implements its policy of being a truthful friend and partner of nations in the world for the sake of peace, friendship, equal cooperation and mutual benefit. Vietnam will strictly implement its commitments to the international community and pull through administration and institution reforms to make the environment opener, more transparent and favourable for investors and businesses.

So far Vietnam has established diplomatic ties with more than 170 countries and trade ties with more than 220 countries and territories. Trade value between Vietnam and other countries is estimated to reach US$85 billion. More than 8,800 projects worth US$80 billion of 80 countries and territories are being carried out in Vietnam. Meanwhile Vietnam has more than 200 projects worth US$1.2 billion in 33 countries.

PM Dung emphasised that Vietnam considers foreign investors as an indispensable part of the country’s economy. Success of foreign investors is success of the country itself.

Participants in the forum dealt with a number of important issues such as climate change and economic development, Muslim economy, infrastructure management and development, competitive capacity of Southeast Asia, and Vietnam in the integration process – opportunities and challenges.