KOTA KINABALU: The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) has held Malaysia's first official function of its Asean Chairmanship for 2025 with the Asean Senior Economic Officials' Meeting (SEOM) Retreat here.
MITI deputy secretary-general (trade) Mastura Ahmad Mustafa said the two-day SEOM Retreat, which began last night, was an essential annual event.
"Every year, when a country assumes the Asean chairmanship, it organises the SEOM Retreat in December, ahead of its chairmanship year.
"The purpose of the SEOM Retreat is to outline what will be implemented during our chairmanship year.
"Today (Wednesday), in Kota Kinabalu, we are hosting the SEOM Retreat 2025 under the economic pillar. We have presented our plans, specifically the economic outcomes for Malaysia's chairmanship next year," she told the reporters after the welcoming dinner for SEOM delegates last night.
The event saw participation from 57 delegates representing nine Asean countries, with Timor-Leste attending as an observer.
The Philippines, however, was unable to join due to scheduling conflicts but had access to virtual meeting sessions.
Mastura said 18 priority economic deliverables (PEDs) were presented during the retreat.
Looking beyond 2025, she noted plans for the Asean Community Vision 2045, as the Asean Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025 concludes next year.
"This time, the vision will span 20 years. However, we acknowledge that 20 years is a long period, especially considering the rapid pace of economic and technological developments.
"Therefore, the economic pillar has decided to implement strategic plans in five-year phases.
"For the coming year, we will produce the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan to be implemented over five years, aligning with the Asean Community Vision 2045."
Under Malaysia's chairmanship, the economic pillar will host three official SEOM meetings.
The first will take place in January in Kuching, followed by the second in April in Penang, and the last in July.
Additionally, the Asean Economic Ministers' (AEM) Retreat will be held in Desaru, Johor, at the end of February, with the formal AEM meeting scheduled for September in Kuala Lumpur.