TOKYO: Malaysia is set to focus on digitalisation and bridge the digital gap through a comprehensive strategic partnership with Japan.
In a press conference ahead of the Japan - Asean Commemorative Summit here in Tokyo, Asean - Malaysia National Secretariat Director General Datuk Zanariah Zainal Abidin said digitalisation is one of some key areas to look at in maximising bilateral relations between Malaysia and Japan .
"Moving forward, Malaysia will look at where this comprehensive strategic partnership is directed and where it will take us.
"One of the key collaborative areas would be on digitalisation (in Malaysia), with a focus on empowering small businesses and boosting digital connectivity and reach in rural areas," Zanariah said.
She said part of the near future plans would also include drawing from Malaysia's National Plans to scale it to a regional, Asean level.
She cited initiatives like Pedi, part of the government's efforts to enhance the socio-economic status of local communities by providing digital skills training to all, regardless of their social status or geographical location.
"We want to draw from our National Plan and bring it to the Asean level. Such initiatives by the prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) like Pedi, that works on widening the digital reach and empowering the rakyat, we would like to see this done at a regional level (in Asean)," she said.
Also present at the press conference was Malaysian ambassador to Japan, Datuk Shahril Effendi Abd Ghany.
Shahril said Anwar will be attending the Asean-Japan Commemorative Summit together with Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and newly-appointed Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Anwar and the two ministers are expected to arrive tonight at 11.55pm, local Japan time.
They will be among 10 Asean leaders expected to arrive for the summit.
Japan is the host of the Asean-Japan Commemorative Summit, marking the 50th Year of Asean-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, taking place in Tokyo from Dec 16 to 18.