Asean seeks to expand membership in RCEP, CPTPP to boost regional economic integration
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.— MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN is seeking to expand membership in two key trade agreements - the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) - as part of efforts to strengthen regional economic integration.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the matter was discussed when he chaired the ASEAN Caucus Meeting held in conjunction with the 31st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in Jeju, South Korea.
"Among the matters discussed today include the expansion of RCEP and CPTPP membership,' he told Bernama.
To date, only four ASEAN countries are members of the CPTPP, namely, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.
Tengku Zafrul is leading Malaysia's delegation to Jeju as trade ministers from the 21 APEC member economies gather for the two-day MRT meeting that starts today.
Tengku Zafrul said the recent United States tariff announcement had a significant impact on intra-ASEAN trade dynamics, as well as that with trading partners, particularly in sectors entrenched in the global supply chains.
According to him, ASEAN's adherence to the principles of neutrality and non-alignment allows the region to voice its position independently in forums such as APEC, which he described as an important platform to raise the concerns and interests of the world's fifth-largest economy.
During the meeting, he said, ASEAN unanimously reaffirmed its stance to uphold the multilateral trading system and reject any form of unilateralism.
"We must be firm in upholding multilateralism, a core principle of the World Trade Organisation, to boost regional economic integration,' said Tengku Zafrul.
As part of efforts to strengthen regional cooperation, Tengku Zafrul said, ASEAN also plans to hold special consultative sessions with major trading partners, starting with China and Japan.
He said the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM)-China Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) as well as AEM-Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Special Consultations will be held on May 20.
Tengku Zafrul also stated that ASEAN needs to adopt a united approach and speak collectively during the APEC MRT Meeting, particularly in addressing the current global tariff issue.
"Malaysia is fully committed to making this year of its ASEAN chairmanship a defining year for deeper ASEAN economic integration,' he added. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
35 minutes ago
- Barnama
PM Anwar Arrives To Officiate HAWANA 2025 Celebration
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has arrived at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) to officiate the highlight of the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2025 celebration. He arrived at 11.45 am and was welcomed by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and his deputy Teo Nie Ching. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Dr Zaliha Mustafa; Ministry of Communications Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa; Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai; Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin; and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who is also the director of HAWANA 2025. The Prime Minister is scheduled to address approximately 1,000 guests, comprising local and international media practitioners. Themed 'Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics', HAWANA 2025 is organised by the Ministry of Communications, with Bernama as the implementing agency, and supported by various media organisations and strategic industry partners. The Prime Minister will also present the HAWANA 2025 Special Award and the HAWANA 2025 Award, to individuals who have made significant contributions in the field of journalism. In addition, he will present prizes to the winners of the HAWANA-DBP 2025 Pantun Festival, held on May 31. In addition, he is scheduled to present contributions from the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA to three veteran journalists in need, as a gesture of appreciation and concern for media professionals who have shaped the landscape of journalism in the country. Representatives from media associations, journalist clubs, and news organisations from Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, and China have gathered in the capital since Friday, participating in a series of programmes held in conjunction with the prestigious event, now in its fifth edition. The HAWANA celebration was first introduced in 2018 to honour the contributions of journalists to national development, with May 29 chosen as the official date, in recognition of the first publication of 'Utusan Melayu' in 1939.
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
HAWANA 2025: MMC Act To Strengthen Media Integrity -- MPI President
REGION - CENTRAL > NEWS Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) President Datuk Yong Soo Heong delivers his welcoming remarks at the opening of the HAWANA 2025 Forum in conjunction with the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL) today. KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- The enactment of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Act marks a significant milestone in the country's media landscape, serving to enhance media integrity, said Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) president Datuk Yong Soo Heong. Speaking at the HAWANA 2025 Forum today, Yong said the MMC Bill, passed by Parliament this year, culminated years of deliberation aimed at establishing a self-regulatory body to empower media practitioners while ensuring accountability. 'This Act is designed to safeguard journalistic integrity, promote fair reporting, and provide a structured mechanism for addressing public concerns about media practices,' he said. bootstrap slideshow Also present were MPI chief executive officer Ainol Amriz Ismail, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who is also the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2025 project director. Yong expressed his appreciation to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching, as well as former minister Gobind Singh Deo, for their efforts in championing the Act. He said the legislation aims to strengthen ethical standards and restore public trust in journalism while ensuring that professionals in the field have the autonomy to self-regulate. On the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism, Yong acknowledged its potential in enhancing newsroom operations but cautioned against over-reliance on the technology. 'Yet, while AI presents exciting opportunities, it must be adopted judiciously. Journalism is not merely about data processing; it is about human judgment, investigative rigour and ethical responsibility,' he said. Yong stressed that AI should complement, not replace, journalists, and the challenge lies in integrating the technology responsibly to enhance the credibility and effectiveness of media without eroding core journalistic values.
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Veteran Solo Journalist, Haliza Hashim Links Two Continents
By Syamsiah Sahat IPOH, June 14 (Bernama) -- "Haliza Hashim, That was the iconic sign off of TV3 news correspondent, Haliza Hashim who was the face connecting Malaysian viewers with major events in Europe for over 30 years. In an era of increasingly advanced technology, this 60-year-old woman takes on the task of a versatile solo journalist who can double as a cameraman, interviewer, voice-over artist, scriptwriter, editor and presenter to make a complete and interesting report. "More than three decades, as if I can't believe it, I'm still standing here, still reporting. As long as the television company needs me, I will be here and retire here," she said when met by Bernama in London, recently. Recounting her career path, the Cardiff University economics graduate said she started at the TV3 News Room, Jalan Liku, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur in the early 1990s as a broadcast journalist for the news segment and Money Matters programme from February 1991 to January 1993 before making the bold decision to become a correspondent in London. "I started by joining several international media associations, introducing myself to Malaysian government departments and agencies in London and building networks with key ministries here. Chasing deadlines and language barriers in European countries were among the major challenges faced. "In the 90s, I hired a cameraman, rented an editing studio, sent visuals using satellite and sent text reports via fax to the newsroom. If you think about it, journalists are really lucky these days, they can write scripts and record visuals with smartphones." Haliza said that with the development of technology, starting in 2013 she used a broadcast-quality video camera to record visuals and interviews, edit videos using applications on her laptop and send news using the latest system directly to the editor in the newsroom. "As a solo journalist, sometimes I miss the intimacy with my colleagues, crew and the atmosphere of the newsroom. However, the advantages of working solo allow me to move more easily, quickly and save costs,' said the mother of two, aged 30 and 26.
