Anwar Urges ASEAN-BAC To Propose Intra-ASEAN Trade Measures
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister and Chair of the Southeast Asian bloc, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has directed the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) to submit concrete proposals to boost intra-ASEAN trade, which currently accounts for only about 20 per cent of the grouping's total trade.
He noted that his counterparts had expressed a shared desire to unlock the region's full economic potential, underscoring the opportunity to significantly expand intra-ASEAN trade.
'Proposals have been made by Presidents and Prime Ministers, and there is actually no reason why the extent of our inter-ASEAN trade and investments is still limited at this stage, as the potential is enormous.
'So please come up with some very specific proposals on how we can compel policymakers to accept some recommendations,' he said in his opening remarks at the ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representative of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) here today.
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