ASEAN meeting promotes inclusive entrepreneurship for people with disabilities
The fourth meeting of the Network of Experts on Inclusive Entrepreneurship in ASEAN (NIEA) was held online on October 22, with the theme “Promotion of Inclusive Entrepreneurship towards a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community”.
Overview of NIEA's fourth meeting in Hanoi (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The fourth meeting of the Network of Experts onInclusive Entrepreneurship in ASEAN (NIEA) was held online on October 22, withthe theme “Promotion of Inclusive Entrepreneurship towards a Cohesive and ResponsiveASEAN Community”.
The meeting was part of the ASEAN StrategicFramework on Social Welfare and Development, chaired by the Vietnamese Ministryof Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) in the 2020-2021 period.
Attending were those in charge of the ASEANSenior Officials’ Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD), NIEAmembers from the ten ASEAN countries, representatives from the ASEANSecretariat, organisations linked to ASEAN, and international partners such asthe US, the UN, and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and thePacific (UNESCAP).
Speaking at the event, head of MoLISA’sDepartment of Social Assistance Nguyen Van Hoi spoke highly of the roleThailand played in founding and coordinating NIEA during 2017-2019.
With nearly 30 members, the network hascontributed to promoting enterprises owned by people with disabilities (PWDs),sharing information about PWD-related issues, and increasing the quality of theirlives.
To help the network uphold its role, Hoisuggested nations adopt more policies and programmes to enhance PWDs’engagement and promote their approach to employment and business opportunities.
Delegates exchanged views on institutions and policiesto promote inclusive entrepreneurship for PWDs in ASEAN countries, the role ofinvolved parties, difficulties and challenges in this endeavour, links with theimplementation of the ASEAN Enabling Master Plan 2025 on Mainstreaming the Rightsof Persons with Disabilities, and the application of information technology ande-commerce to promote start-ups.
The meeting also prepared a document on commonrecommendations to promote inclusive entrepreneurship for PWDs, which will besent to senior officials and ministers in charge of social welfare anddevelopment to seek their greater focus on PWD-related issues./.
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Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
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Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
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Overview of NIEA's fourth meeting in Hanoi (Source: VNA) 
