Singapore lays out 5 economic priorities as Asean chair

Singapore

THE digital economy and trade facilitation are two of five key economic areas that Singapore will focus on during its chairmanship of Asean this year.

The others are services integration and ease of investment; energy security; and strengthening ties between Asean and its external partners.

Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang laid out Singapore's priorities at the Singapore Business Federation's (SBF) Asean Networking Night on Wednesday night.

Even as anti-trade sentiments are on the rise in other parts of the world, Asean members must stay the course in pursuing deepe…