PRESS RELEASE
Philippine Embassy, Canberra
1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*
Business opportunities in digital transformation in ASEAN
Left to right: Ms. Kate Pounder, CEO of Tech Council of Australia; Ambassador De La Vega; Mr. David Fodor, Amazon Web Services; Ms. Michelle Guthrie, Chair TRAVLR/Director, StarHub; Ms. Marina Pullin, Founder/Director, Jungal; Mr. Voincent Maquinad, Bukalapak Indonesai at the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum on 23 May in Melbourne.
26 May 2022, CANBERRA – Speaking at the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum in Melbourne on 23 May 2022, Ambassador Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega discussed the rapid digital transformation in Southeast Asia and the significant opportunities it offers to Australian business.
Ambassador De La Vega said, “ASEAN is among the fastest growing online markets in the world,” referring to published data on the 350 million estimated Internet user base as of 2018 and the additional 40 million first time users in 2020 alone. She also discussed the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2022 and the commitment of ASEAN to be a leading digital community and economic bloc, powered by secure and transformative digital services, technologies and ecosystem. She also discussed the challenges on digital literacy, affordability and cybersecurity that may also serve as platforms for collaboration with Australia.
In the Philippines, the Ambassador noted the 92 million social media users and the growing base of online consumers. The message of the Ambassador to Australian business, “The market, the infrastructure, and policy environment are there to support your operations.”
The Australia-ASEAN Business Forum was supported by Global Victoria and featured ASEAN Heads of Mission, business leaders and experts on Southeast Asia. The forum discussed the ASEAN Economic Community and opportunities for Australian business in advanced manufacturing, education, digital transformation, agriculture development and food security, and health and medical industries. – END
The ten ASEAN Heads of Mission at the Gala Dinner held on 23 May 2022 during the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum in Melbourne.
