Trade and investment cooperation remain the most powerful engines to propel our region toward sustainability, resilience and shared growth”: H.E. Penn Sovicheat, Vice Minister, Ministry of Commerce, Cambodia
Addressing the Session on “Gateway to Growth: The Trade and Investment Imperative”, H.E. Mr Penn, Sovicheat, Vice Minister, Ministry of Commerce, Cambodia at the 30th edition of Partnership Summit, organized in Vishakhapatnam emphasized that prosperity today is shaped by shared interests and mutual benefit. Adding further he said, “In a world facing supply disruptions, technological transformation, and the urgent need for green recovery, strengthening regional partnerships has never been more critical.”
H.E. Mr Penn highlighted India’s growing global role and ASEAN’s ambitions for deeper integration and underlined ASEAN–India mechanisms such as AITIGA and the ASEAN–India Business Council as key pathways to strengthen trade, investment, and digital connectivity. Reaffirming Cambodia’s commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system, he encouraged Indian businesses to explore opportunities in Cambodia, particularly in renewable energy, infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, and MSME development.
H.E. Mr Minn Minn, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Commerce, Myanmar in his keynote address said that, “The theme ‘Gateway to Growth’ resonates strongly with our national vision to serve as a dynamic land bridge connecting the thriving economic regions of South Asia and Southeast Asia”. Highlighting the partnership between India and Myanmar, he said, India as one of Myanmar’s top trading partners with Indian investments of nearly USD 800 million. The Deputy Minister reaffirmed Myanmar’s commitment to deepen cooperation in connectivity, fisheries, chemicals, vehicles, and other emerging sectors.
H E Ms Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary, UN Economic and Social Commission (UNESCAP) and Under-Secretary-General, United Nations (UN) emphasized the need for strategic partnerships and modern FTAs that prioritize resilient supply chains and digital infrastructure. She said, “India’s gateway to growth lies in continued policy reform in areas such as ease of doing business, labour reforms, streamlining custom procedure, reducing logistic barrier, tapping into high value production.
Mr Tetsuya Watanabe, President, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Indonesia, said that Asia is undergoing profound change in trade, supply chains and investment patterns, creating challenges but also unprecedented opportunities. He emphasized collaboration in semiconductors, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and critical minerals, adding, “The true gateway to growth lies not in geography but in partnership and trust.”
Mr Neeraj Gupta, Principal Investment Officer, International Finance Corporation, India (IFC), said, “India is at an inflection point—with transformative reforms, strategic free trade agreements, and digital innovation shaping the future of the economy.” Outlining IFC’s support to India, he reaffirmed IFC’s readiness to partner with Andhra Pradesh and India’s private sector to build bankable, sustainable and inclusive projects.
On the EU–India FTA, Ms Natasha Majumdar, Director-South Asia, Amfori highlighted, “The EU and India are approaching the final stages of a landmark Free Trade Agreement—one that promises immense opportunity for both sides.” Stressing sustainability as a central requirement for European investors, she encouraged India to continue strengthening labour and environmental standards to maximize gains from the FTA.
Mr Narayan Sethuramon, Co-Chairman, CII International Council and CII Trade Policy Council and Managing Director, Sanmar Matrix Metals Ltd moderated the session. Stressing on the importance of trust, standards cooperation, and responsible business practices, he said, “Mutual recognition of standards, smoother logistics, connectivity and responsible business practices will be the key enablers of the next phase of business growth”. He further stated that, “With the vision of expanding and diversifying exports and markets, and deepening participation in global value chains, India continues to focus on building partnerships that promote mutual growth and long-term resilience”