Latest news with #ASEANLeaders'Interface
Barnama
27-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
ஆசியான் மாநாட்டின் வழி உறவுகளை வலுவாக்கும் மலேசியா
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, leading the Malaysian delegation, delivers his speech during the ASEAN Leaders' Interface with representatives of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on May 26.
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Anwar: ASEAN, GCC and China present vast collaborative potential with combined US$24.87 trillion GDP
Anwar delivers his opening remarks during the ASEAN Leaders' Interface with representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (May 27): ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and China together represent a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of US$24.87 trillion (US$1=RM4.21) and a population of about 2.15 billion, offering vast opportunities to synergise markets, deepen innovation, and promote cross-regional investment, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today. 'For the first time, ASEAN, the GCC, and China come together in this unique configuration – three partners, each rich in history, civilisation, culture, and shared aspirations, gather to open a new chapter of dialogue and cooperation,' he said in his opening remarks at the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit themed 'Synergising Economic Opportunities Towards Shared Prosperity.' Also present were Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, who is also the president of the current session of the Supreme Council of the GCC; China's Premier Li Qiang; Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; and Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz. In 2023, ASEAN's GDP reached US$3.8 trillion, making it the world's fifth-largest economy. That same year, total trade with the GCC stood at US$130.7 billion, with foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of US$390.2 million. China, meanwhile, remained ASEAN's largest trading partner with US$696.7 billion in trade and US$17.3 billion in FDI, which indicate immense existing linkages as well as substantial untapped potential. 'I hope this summit will stand as a new chapter in ASEAN's journey of outward-looking engagement, demonstrating what can be achieved when partners work together in mutual respect and shared purpose,' said Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister. He expressed confidence that ASEAN, the GCC, and China can draw upon respective unique attributes, and shape a future that is more connected, more resilient, and more prosperous for generations to come. Among the ASEAN leaders attending today's events were the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Also attending were Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao as Observer, and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn. – Bernama anwar ibrahim asean China GCC lead summit
Barnama
27-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Malaysia's Leadership Under PM Anwar Strengthens ASEAN Cooperation -- Nazir Razak
BUSINESS ASEAN-BAC Malaysia Chairman, Tan Sri Nazir Razak attends the ASEAN Leaders' Interface with ASEAN-BAC Representatives held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, leading the Malaysian delegation, delivers his speech during the ASEAN Leaders' Interface with representatives of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on May 26. KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's leadership under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been a unique strength in bringing ASEAN leaders together to discuss and address regional issues collaboratively. ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Malaysia chair Tan Sri Nazir Razak said that amid a sea change of leaders across ASEAN, Anwar seems very well connected with all of them. 'He (Anwar) is like the one person who's very close to all (ASEAN country leaders), and we look to that unique ability to bring them together so that we can close on some key decisions, such as bringing down non-tariff barriers, greater empowerment to the ASEAN Secretariat and policy changes. 'It can be done, but you need leaders, and sometimes they need to spend that political capital to get things done,' he said in a press conference at the ASEAN Business Forum 2025 Curtain Raiser here today. Nazir added that he is optimistic about ASEAN now, as the region currently has a new momentum. He said the external environment has given it more of a push, hence the ASEAN chairmanship is expected to produce many positive outcomes. According to a joint statement by the organisers, ASEAN Business Forum 2025, organised by CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd in collaboration with MBSB Bhd and OCBC Group, will be held at the St Regis Hotel on May 29 in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit 2025 and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit 2025. Co-hosted with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and ASEAN-BAC Malaysia, the forum is expected to draw more than 500 attendees, comprising over 200 foreign and local corporates, policymakers and corporate captains representing the region's largest companies of over RM1 trillion in market capitalisation. 'A key highlight of the forum is the corporate engagement and business exchange session designed to drive real business collaboration between pre-screened and pre-selected matching parties from the top 25 corporations and investors across ASEAN and China.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Anwar urges ASEAN-BAC to propose intra-ASEAN trade measures
KUALA LUMPUR: 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 Representatives of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) here today. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister said the ASEAN-BAC would also be present at all ASEAN meetings as a standard procedure to express their views and provide suggestions. Heads of State/Government present included Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah; Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto; Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet; Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone; Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr; Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong; and Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Also in attendance were Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, as observer, and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn. This year marks Malaysia's fifth time chairing the regional bloc, having previously held the ASEAN Chairmanship in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015. In conjunction with the summit, two pivotal high-level engagements — the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit — will also be convened, serving as strategic platforms to advance regional and inter-regional cooperation.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
AIPA pushes for women, youth empowerment in ASEAN nation-building
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) president Tan Sri Johari Abdul have conveyed a strong and unified message on the need to enhance female and youth participation across various sectors to advance inclusive nation-building within ASEAN. He stressed that women and youth must be given greater space in leadership, politics and decision-making processes, as they are essential to building a sustainable and people-centred ASEAN. 'Alhamdulillah, in Malaysia, women's involvement is very encouraging in certain areas, particularly in the public sector's supporting services, where we have likely surpassed 50 per cent, and in the education sector as well,' he told reporters after ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of AIPA, held on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit here today. However, he noted that women remain underrepresented in other key fields, especially politics, and emphasised the need to empower young women to take on leadership roles. 'This is the area we want to push, so that the participation of young ladies becomes more active and prominent,' he said. Johari, who is the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, also called for greater empowerment of youth as future leaders, stressing that their aspirations must be meaningfully incorporated across all sectors, including politics, the economy, social development and education. He reaffirmed the shared commitment of ASEAN leaders and AIPA member parliaments to advancing a more inclusive, sustainable and people-centred regional community. Meanwhile, in a statement, the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives noted that Johari commended Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership as ASEAN Chair and emphasised the importance of strong collaboration between the executive and legislative branches in shaping regional policy. The statement also highlighted the need to strengthen parliamentary initiatives supporting the empowerment of women and youth, the acceleration of digital integration and the advancement of green and sustainable economic growth. As the current ASEAN Chair, Malaysia is hosting the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from May 26 to 27. The ASEAN-AIPA Leaders' Interface is a dedicated platform for dialogue between ASEAN heads of state/government and the Speakers, Deputy Speakers, and representatives of AIPA Member Parliaments to align regional priorities through inclusive, multi-stakeholder governance.
