Overview
The ASEAN-Plus Three (APT) consists of 10 ASEAN Member States, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK). The economic cooperation between ASEAN and the Plus Three countries started in 1997 and had evolved ever since. In 2019, the total APT trade reached USD 890.2 billion, accounting for 31.6 per cent of ASEAN’s total merchandise trade. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the Plus Three countries to ASEAN reached USD 32 billion in 2019, accounting for 19.9 per cent of the total FDI to ASEAN.
Priority Areas of Cooperation
Cooperation objectives and activities between ASEAN and the Plus Three countries are guided by the ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Work Plan 2018-2022, which was adopted at the 18th APT Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 7 August 2017 and cover a wide range of economic cooperation including:
- Promotion of trade and investment
- Maintaining financial market stability in the region
- Promotion of sustainable tourism and people-to-people connectivity
- Enhanced cooperation in food, agriculture and forestry
- Enhanced energy security and cooperation
- Enhanced cooperation in minerals
- Promotion of sustainable development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including through the consultations with ASEAN-China Centre, ASEAN-Japan Centre, and ASEAN-Korea Centre
- Strengthened cooperation in science, technology, and innovation (STI)
To further operationalise the APT Cooperation Work Plan 2018-2022, priorities and projects for cooperation among ASEAN and the Plus Three countries (APT) are mapped out in the APT Economic Cooperation Work Programme 2019-2020. The Work Programme aims to enhance dialogues and to foster trade and investment among the members, as well as to promote joint efforts towards addressing challenges arising from regional and global developments, with a focus on the development needs of Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Major Sectoral Bodies/Committees
- AEM-Plus Three Consultations comprising Economic Ministers from ASEAN and Plus Three countries. The consultations are held annually to consider the progress of the overall economic relations and provide guidance and directions for the economic relations.
- SEOM-Plus Three Consultations comprising senior economic officials from ASEAN and Plus Three countries. The consultations are held regularly to support the Ministers in implementing various initiatives to support economic cooperation between ASEAN and the Plus Three countries.
Key Documents
- 26th ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Consultations, Semarang, Indonesia, 22 August 2023
- 25th ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Consultations, Siem Reap, Cambodia, 17 September 2022
- 24th ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Consultations, Video Conference, 13 September 2021
- ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Work Plan 2018 – 2022
- Special ASEAN Plus Three Economic Ministers’ Virtual Conference Meeting on COVID-19 Response, 4 June 2020
- 23rd ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Consultations, Video Conference, 28 August 2020
- 22nd ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Consultations, Bangkok, Thailand, 10 September 2019
- 21st ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Consultations, Singapore, 30 August 2018
- 20th ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Consultations, Pasay City, Philippines, 10 September 2017
- 19th ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Consultations, Vientiane, Lao PDR, 4 August 2016
- 18th ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Consultations, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 23 August 2015
- 17th ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Consultations, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, 26 August 2014
- 16th ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Consultations, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, 20 August 2013
- 15th ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Consultations, Siem Reap, Cambodia, 29 August 2012
- 14th ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Consultations, Manado, Indonesia, 12 August 2011
- 13th ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Consultations, Da Nang, Viet Nam, 26 August 2010
- 12th ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Consultation, Bangkok, Thailand, 15 August 2009
- 11th ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Consultation, Singapore, 28 August 2008
- 10th ASEAN Economic Ministers and the Ministers of People’s Republic of China, Japan and Republic Korea Consultation, Makati City, Philippines, 25 August 2007
- 9th ASEAN Economic Ministers and the Ministers of People’s Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea Consultation, Kuala Lumpur, 24 August 2006
- 8th ASEAN Economic Ministers and the Ministers of People’s Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea Consultation, Vientiane, 29 September 2005
- 7th ASEAN Economic Ministers and the Ministers of People’s Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea Consultation, Jakarta, Indonesia, 4 September 2004
- 6th ASEAN Economic Ministers and the Ministers of People’s Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea Consultation, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 3 September 2003
- 5th ASEAN Economic Ministers and the Ministers of People’s Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea Consultation, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, 14 September 2002
- 4th ASEAN Economic Ministers and the Ministers of Peoples Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea Consultation, Ha Noi, Viet Nam, 12 September 2001
- 3rd Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers and the Ministers of People’s Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea, Siem Reap, Cambodia, 4 May 2001
- 2nd Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers and the Ministers of People’s Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 7 October 2000
- 1st Meeting of The ASEAN Economic Ministers and The Ministers of People’s Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea, Yangon, Myanmar, 2 May 2000
