On May 17, 2021, the Russia-ASEAN Business Council held online consultations with the ASEAN Secretariat via videoconference.

The consultations were attended by Chairman of the Russia-ASEAN Business Council Ivan Polyakov, Member of the Board – Minister in charge of Integration and Macroeconomics of the Eurasian Economic Commission Sergey Glazyev, Director of the Department for Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia Natalia Stapran and Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community Satvinder Singh.

Ivan Polyakov, Chairman of the Russia-ASEAN Business Council, outlined promising areas of cooperation between Russia and the ASEAN countries that could strengthen the existing potential, among them the development of digital infrastructure, the supply and processing of agricultural products, including products according to Halal standards, pharmaceuticals, ecology and energy efficiency. It was also noted about the possibility of expanding international participants connected to the Bank of Russia financial messaging system in order to reduce the impact of various protectionist measures on economic cooperation.

Natalya Stapran, Director of the Department for Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, informed that about 25 projects in the field of economic cooperation were implemented with the support of the ASEAN-Russia Dialogue Partnership Financial Fund. Thus, there is significant potential for cooperation in the digital economy, healthcare, and the food industry. It was also noted that on May 27, 2021, at the initiative of the Ministry, an international seminar on cooperation with ASEAN countries in the field of Halal product certification will be held.

Sergey Glazyev, Member of the Board – Minister in charge of Integration and Macroeconomics of the Eurasian Economic Commission, positively assessed the high intensity of contacts between the EAEU and ASEAN in the field of exchange of information, experience in removing trade barriers and developing integration. In particular, he stressed that the Free Trade Agreement between the EAEU states and Vietnam is one example of profound and effective interaction.

Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community, spoke about the priorities of ASEAN's economic development. He noted that the area of digital transformation specified in the ASEAN Digital Masterplan and in the ASEAN Digital Integration Framework Action Plan 2019-2025 is a priority. Mr. Singh outlined that it is important to intensify cooperation in this area through the exchange of experience and interaction in the field of smart city systems.