On October 22, 2019, ASEAN Secretariat hosted a Roundtable on the theme “ASEAN - SCO: Trade and Investment Potential” in Jakarta. It became the first joint event organized in accordance with the List agreed between the Secretariats of the SCO and ASEAN in March 2019 in line with the Memorandum of Understanding signed in April 2005.

Following the meetings of the SCO and ASEAN Secretaries General in February and September 2019, both Secretariats agreed to organize a round table to discuss the prospects for economic cooperation.

The meeting was attended by SCO Deputy Secretary General Sh.S.Jonon, ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Aladdin D. Rillo, SCO Member States Ambassadors in Jakarta, ASEAN Secretariat officials, as well as experts and interested parties.

The main topics of discussion of the round table were the economic potential of the SCO Member States; the best practices of the ASEAN Economic Community in formation of a new center for global economic development in Asia; progress achieved with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and free trade agreements; prospects for cooperation between the SCO and ASEAN Member States in the trade and investment sphere; e-commerce; transport, information technology and digital industry. During the event, participants exchanged views on the experience of ASEAN countries in the development of national economies, including trade, investment, infrastructure development, innovative technologies and transport.

In presentations, it was emphasized that given the high economic potential of the SCO and ASEAN, as well as the need to expand economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation between them, this round table is important for establishing dialogue and exchange of views. The organizations have a lot in common, they are commited to regional cooperation, especially in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres.

The participants of the roundtable noted that this format will allow both parties to discuss issues of mutual interest and learn from each other's strengths and capabilities to expand trade and investment of member countries.

The parties discussed in detail the possible areas of cooperation in the trade, economic and investment spheres. Based on the results of the round table, a number of practical initiatives and proposals have been worked out to further enhance cooperation between the SCO and ASEAN.