The inaugural plenary, on the theme of 'Promoting Mutual Trade and Investment for Shared Prosperity' covered discussions on promoting SME ecosystem to enhance entrepreneurship quotient in the region and startup culture to create new pipeline of ideas, said an official statement.

The sessions and discussions to be held on Tuesday will focus on sectors of mutual interest particularly namely services, regional value chains and connectivity, agriculture, trade and investment.

Inaugurating the event, Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu, thanked the ASEAN ministers for their presence stating that India and ASEAN share deep and strong relations.

He stressed that India is looking forward to further deepening our engagement with ASEAN, with all the special commemorative events  lined up for the next few days, celebrating our Shared Values and Common Destiny.  

He further stated that this event will help to envision the next 25 years of India-ASEAN relations, highlighting our various sectoral collaborations.

Prabhu stressed that India is looking forward to further deepening our engagement with ASEAN, with all the special commemorative events  lined up for the next few days, celebrating our Shared Values and Common Destiny.  

The Expo has participation from businesses and CEOs across ASEAN countries, ASEAN country Pavilions, Pavilions of Indian States and Export Promotion Councils.