Zanariah Abd Mutalib
VIENTIANE: Malaysia has outlined several steps to drive Asean's strategic involvement in the development of trade, investor relations and digital transformation.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said although the Asean region was experiencing strong economic growth, the intra-Asean trade remained low for the past few decades.
He said he therefore believed that there was huge potential for it to be enhanced, especially with the upgrading of the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga) to be signed in 2025.
He said among the steps needed to be taken by member nations include strengthening Asean fundamentals, the regional value chain, and regulatory cooperation.
There was also a need to reinvent, restructure and recalibrate Asean economies and leverage on each other's strengths, he added, apart from redrawing and securing the regional supply chain and its linkages to the global economy.
"I believe that if we pursue this course with determination and commitment, ASEAN can achieve economic resilience and be on track to become the fourth largest economy by 2030."
He said this when delivering the national statement at the plenary session of the 44th and 45th Asean Summits at the National Convention Centre, here, today.
At the same time, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, expressed confidence that Timor Leste's inclusion would expand the region's economy and contribute to fulfilling the grand vision.
"Malaysia looks forward to the recommendations from our senior officials on measures to facilitate Timor-Leste's early full membership into Asean."
Meanwhile, he said although focus was given to strengthening regional unity and economic growth, the Prime Minister also reminded nations that it was equally vital for Asean to explore and broaden economic partnerships beyond the regional borders.
"Malaysia's proposal for the Asean GCC + China Summit in 2025 is aimed at achieving exactly this. I would like to thank Asean member states for your support of this proposal."