PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia aims to attract 25 million tourists and secure substantial foreign direct investment when the country assumes the Asean chairmanship next year.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the country was targeting key sectors like artificial intelligence, renewable energy and health tourism.
He said the role of Asean chairman provided a unique economic advantage that the government was determined to leverage.
"We are seizing this advantage by preparing to hold roughly 300 meetings and conduct forums with global players, such as the World Economic Forum and Bloomberg."
He said Asean's mission of mutual respect among nations would remain a guiding principle and that Malaysia's ambitions reached beyond economics and also incorporated regional peace and security.
"We are not a 'big brother' but we are a leader in Asean," he said, pointing to partnerships with China and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
On public-private partnerships to drive economic success, Shamsul Azri said more emphasis should be given to the private sector working with the government.
"The private sector has the capacity, capability and capital to take on ventures."