Latest news with #AsianDevelopmentBankInstitute
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia aims to be regional cloud hub by 2030 with new policy
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has reaffirmed its ambition to become a leading regional cloud and digital hub by 2030 with the launch of the National Cloud Computing Policy (NCCP). Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo stated that the NCCP aligns with MyDIGITAL and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint to unlock economic potential. A recent study by the Asian Development Bank Institute and AWS projects that a one per cent increase in cloud adoption could add RM10.5 billion to Malaysia's GDP. Gobind highlighted that accelerating cloud adoption from 2024 to 2028 could generate an additional RM110 billion in economic value. He noted that global tech players are investing billions in Malaysia's digital infrastructure, including new cloud regions and data centres. The NCCP focuses on five core pillars, including public-private sector guidance, data protection, and environmental sustainability. Gobind emphasised that the policy ensures inclusive digital transformation across sectors, institutions, and communities. The NCCP also serves as a national action plan to maintain Malaysia's competitiveness in the global digital economy. The Digital Ministry stated that the policy will enhance efficiency in both public and private sector digitalisation. It will also strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to compete in the digital economy. Designed as a dynamic policy, the NCCP can adapt to technological changes and global cloud computing challenges. - Bernama
Barnama
4 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Cloud Computing Policy To Position Malaysia As Regional Hub By 2030
BUSINESS Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo delivers his speech during an Official Launch of the National Cloud Computing Policy at Nexus Stage, MITEC today. KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has reaffirmed its ambition to become a leading regional cloud and digital hub by 2030 with the launch of the National Cloud Computing Policy (NCCP), a pivotal step in the development of the country's digital ecosystem, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. He said the NCCP directly supports the objectives of MyDIGITAL and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint by unlocking real economic potential, apart from providing a clear direction for the country's digital transformation journey. Citing the Asian Development Bank Institute and AWS's recent study, Gobind said it was projected that even a one per cent increase in cloud adoption could contribute up to a remarkable RM10.5 billion to the country's gross domestic product (GDP). "Looking ahead, by accelerating our cloud strategy from 2024 to 2028, we could unlock a staggering RM110 billion in additional economic value. Our commitment has attracted world-class partners and unprecedented investments. 'We are witnessing billions of ringgit being channelled into our digital infrastructure, with global tech players establishing new cloud regions and data centres right here in Malaysia," he said during the launch of the NCCP at the ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit 2025 (AAIMS25), today. According to Gobind, the NCCP upholds five core pillars to strengthen the adoption of cloud in Malaysia, specifically to guide the public and private sectors; data protection and privacy; digital inclusivity as well as environmental sustainability. "The NCCP embodies a whole-of-nation approach. It reflects our belief that true digital transformation must be inclusive, reaching across sectors, institutions, and communities. "Beyond serving as a guiding document, the NCCP functions as a national action plan to ensure Malaysia remains competitive in the fast-evolving global digital economy -- it establishes the foundation for strategic, well-managed, and high-impact adoption of cloud technology," he added. Meanwhile, according to the Digital Ministry, the implementation of the NCCP will support the transition of both the public and private sectors towards more efficient digitalisation, while enhancing the capacity of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to compete in the digital economy.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia unveils cloud policy to drive RM110bil digital economy boost
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia aims to become a world-class digital and cloud computing hub by 2030 through the launch of the National Cloud Computing Policy (NCCP) today. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the NCCP serves as the nation's strategic blueprint to drive a sovereign, secure, inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem, positioning Malaysia as a premier investment destination in the regional digital economy. He said the policy directly supports the objectives of MyDigital and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint, not only by setting the strategic direction but also by unlocking real economic potential. He added that a recent study by the Asian Development Bank Institute and AWS projects that even a one per cent increase in cloud adoption could contribute up to RM10.5 billion to Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP). "This figure is not just a statistic. It represents new jobs, greater opportunities and stronger economic resilience for our country. "Moving forward, by accelerating cloud strategies from 2024 to 2028, we have the potential to unlock an additional RM110 billion in economic value," he said at the NCCP launch today. Also present were Deputy Digital Minister Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong and the ministry's secretary-general, Fabian Bigar. Gobind said the NCCP will drive investment in cloud technologies, boost the competitiveness of local businesses, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and create a conducive business environment for innovation to flourish. Previously, he noted, cloud initiatives in Malaysia were implemented in silos, creating a risk of falling behind in the fast-evolving global digital economy. He said the NCCP addresses this gap by adopting a whole-of-nation approach, bringing together government agencies, the private sector, cloud service providers, academia and the community. He added that the policy will be aligned with existing national digital strategies, including MyDigital, the National Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Policy and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030) to ensure Malaysia remains on track to attract high-value foreign investments. According to Gobind, the NCCP is anchored on five pillars, which are public sector transformation, private sector growth, data security, digital inclusion and environmental sustainability, forming a complete framework for building a globally competitive digital ecosystem. Beyond economic growth, he said, the policy will deliver tangible benefits to the people, from equitable access to technology to the creation of high-skilled jobs. "The NCCP is not just a technology agenda. It is an economic agenda. Investments in green data centres, cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity will strengthen our digital sovereignty while boosting GDP growth. "Therefore, the Digital Ministry calls on all stakeholders to work together in implementing the NCCP in an integrated manner, ensuring Malaysia maintains its momentum as a key player in the global digital economy," he said.
Nikkei Asia
23-06-2025
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
ASEAN should follow Eastern Europe's growth model, ADBI dean says
Economy Bambang Brodjonegoro pushes investment-led manufacturing, supply chain integration Bambang Brodjonegoro speaks to Nikkei Asia in Tokyo on June 17. The dean of the Asian Development Bank Institute says Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia have a lot to learn from Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania. (Photo by Andrew Sharp) ANDREW SHARP and JOHN AGLIONBY TOKYO -- Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are at risk of remaining stuck in a middle-income trap unless they rethink their economic model, deepen regional integration, and emulate the strategies of post-communist Eastern Europe, the dean of the Asian Development Bank Institute has warned. In an interview last week at his Tokyo office, former Indonesian Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro urged ASEAN policymakers to move beyond decades-old export-led models and focus on investment-driven manufacturing, intra-regional trade and supply chain integration.
Business Times
05-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Non-tariff barriers, not tariffs, are stalling Asean's trade goals
[SINGAPORE] While global headlines fixate on tariff wars and rising protectionism sparked by US President Donald Trump's administration and its use of levies as geopolitical leverage, analysts say it is non-tariff barriers that are quietly choking trade within South-east Asia. In the Asean context, a key non-tariff barrier hindering deeper regional trade integration are the divergent national standards, particularly in areas such as testing and certification, said Arief Ramayandi, a senior research fellow at the Asian Development Bank Institute. 'These barriers are compounded by practices such as import licensing, quotas, complex customs procedures and local content regulations,' he told The Business Times. Some of these measures reflect legitimate policy goals and are likely to remain in place. But others are seen as unnecessarily restrictive, creating persistent roadblocks that have proven difficult to remove, he said. The answer, Ramayandi suggested, lies in greater harmonisation across standards and certification processes, and possibly the establishment of an independent mechanism to monitor and address non-tariff barrier-related practices more effectively. Natixis' senior economist for emerging Asia Trinh Nguyen noted that greater ease of worker mobility as well as better connectivity and infrastructure beyond mainland South-east Asia are also key to greater regional integration. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up Amid a broader global shift away from the world's largest consumer towards alternative economies and regional pacts, trade-reliant South-east Asia has set itself apart with repeated calls for unity and coordinated efforts to deepen intra-bloc trade. Notably, intra-Asean trade accounts for roughly a fifth of the ten-member alliance's total trade, which pales in comparison to the share of intra-European Union trade that's around three times larger. The 27-member bloc may be the world's largest single market, but Asean has also fully eliminated tariffs on 98.6 per cent of products traded in the bloc since 2020. Asked whether full tariff elimination within Asean would significantly help the bloc's standing in the current uncertain trade environment, Stephen Olson, a visiting senior fellow at the Iseas – Yusof Ishak Institute told BT that with tariffs within the region already so low, additional cuts are 'unlikely to be a game changer'. The remaining duties simply reflect the need of various Asean member states to continue providing a degree of protection to certain industries that are key to the government, whether it be for economic, strategic or social considerations, he explained. Asean on May 25 concluded negotiations on a revised trade in goods deal – the cornerstone of its economic integration framework – at the bloc's summit in Kuala Lumpur. Its conclusion to upgrade the pact 'sends a positive signal that the bloc remains highly committed to an open and rules-based multilateral trading system that has served regional growth well over the years', said DBS Group Research senior economists Radhika Rao and Chua Han Teng. The duo added that from a medium-term perspective, the region will also need to generate sufficient demand at home to benefit from intra-regional trade and investment flows, whilst lowering reliance on extra-regional markets. But the way Ramayandi sees it, the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement 'does not seem to be an effective tool for increasing intra-Asean trade volumes, which have been relatively steady since 2010, if not declining'. He noted that the upgraded deal is now set to address issues such as non-tariff barriers, digital trade, green trade and the resilience of supply chains. But 'although this sounds promising, its effectiveness in increasing the trade volumes is yet to be seen', said the economist. 'Non-tariff barriers are far more important, and it remains to be seen if the revised agreement will have the teeth to make meaningful progress on that front,' said Olson from Iseas – Yusof Ishak.
