(VOVWORLD) -ASEAN Finance Ministers began their 22nd meeting in Singapore on Friday. The Vietnamese delegation to the event was led by Deputy Finance Minister Tran Xuan Ha.
 The 22nd ASEAN Finance Ministers' meeting in Singapore (Photo: VNA)
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Chairing the function, Singaporean Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said in his opening remarks that the ministers meet at a time of optimism for regional economies. He warned that the region is still facing challenges, including rising protectionism, trade tensions, and extremism, which without good management can affect the bloc’s growth.
Singapore, as ASEAN chair this year, is committed to working with other member countries to boost regional trade and investment, particularly in financing infrastructure projects that connect economies across the region.
Participating ministers were updated on the implementation progress of initiatives on ASEAN financial connectivity, capital market liberation, infrastructure financing, customs cooperation, and prevention of money laundering, among others.
Outcomes of ASEAN+3 financial cooperation initiatives such as the ASEAN+3 Macro-Economic Research Office, Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation, and Asian Bond Markets Initiative were also tabled.