Latest news with #Nazir
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Asean Private Markets Association expected to be formalised by year-end
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean-Business Advisory Council (Asean-BAC) is in the process of establishing the Asean Private Markets Association, expected to be formalised by year-end. 'The idea is to create a platform to advise governments on enhancing policies to develop the private markets industry, including venture capital and private equity across Asean,' he told reporters after delivering his welcoming address at the Asean Business Forum 2025 here today. Nazir said the association could help overcome market fragmentation issues and drive the region's industry development. 'We estimate that up to US$60 billion (RM254.6 billion) in capital should be channelled to Asean private equity and venture funds, but certain reforms are needed to reduce market fragmentation and improve conditions for investment monetisation,' he said. According to Nazir, the council conducted a research report with McKinsey, which shows Asean private markets are underdeveloped, estimated at only 0.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), compared to the global benchmark average of 1.5% of GDP. 'The report shows that the private markets industry is extremely important to the economy but remains too small in Asean,' he said. On another note, Nazir said Asean stands at a pivotal moment and hopes the region can move forward with economic integration. 'This year at Asean-BAC, our priorities and activities have been carefully designed to capture the essence of the current opportunities and challenges confronting us. We have strived to facilitate dialogues, forge partnerships and propose actionable recommendations that will empower Asean businesses to capitalise on growing intra-regional collaboration, and to lead in adopting cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices,' he added. – Bernama
Business Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Asean-BAC to launch private-markets association in bid to attract US$60 billion regional funding
[KUALA LUMPUR] The Asean Business Advisory Council (Asean-BAC) plans to establish a regional private-markets association by year end to unlock as much as US$60 billion in private equity and venture funding to support small and medium-sized enterprises and startups across South-east Asia. Speaking at the Asean Business Forum 2025, Asean-BAC Malaysia chairman Nazir Razak said the move comes amid growing concerns that Asean's private-capital ecosystem remains underdeveloped, representing just 0.5 per cent of the region's gross domestic product – far below the global average of 1.5 per cent. He noted that the council has been working with the governments of Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia to formalise the Asean Private Markets Association. The entity will serve as a platform to advise governments on policy reforms aimed at unlocking long-term capital. 'The idea is to help shape policies that support the growth of private markets in Asean,' Nazir told reporters on Thursday (May 29) after delivering his keynote address. 'Without reforms, capital will remain fragmented and difficult to monetise.' Beyond private markets, Asean-BAC is also pushing for the creation of an Asean Business Entity – a proposed classification that would allow companies to operate across member states with greater flexibility, said Nazir. He added that the new framework would facilitate cross-border outsourcing and mobility of talent, helping businesses tap the region's collective advantages. 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 Despite the ambitious plans and growing investor interest, panellists at the forum acknowledged that execution remains a major hurdle. 'When I mention the lack of execution in Asean, I'm not just pointing at governments or the regional organisation,' pointed out Nazir. 'The private sector has also fallen short. Are we doing the right deals – whether in mergers and acquisitions, supply chains, or trade? I don't think so.' He added that the momentum behind regional corporate champions has slowed since the late 2000s, raising questions about whether Asean is still fulfilling its potential to attract global capital. The evolving consensus-based model Khairy Jamaluddin, director of CGS International, said Asean's traditional model of consensus-based decision-making has long been a double-edged sword. 'There is no agreement until everyone agrees,' he noted, adding that such a move has slowed progress in many areas. However, Khairy said the region is beginning to evolve beyond rigid consensus. 'We're starting to see a 'consensus-plus' approach, where like-minded countries move forward together even if the full bloc isn't on board.' OCBC chief economist Selena Ling said this approach is already bearing fruit. She cited the Asean Power Grid and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) as examples of cross-border initiatives that demonstrate scalable cooperation among willing member states. 'Asean cooperation may be slow, but it is steady,' Ling noted. 'Intra-region trade is still relatively low – around 21 per cent of total trade, compared to 60 per cent in the European Union – but there's growing potential through cross-border investments and government-to-government partnerships.' The JS-SEZ, launched earlier this year, has created new economic opportunities for both Malaysia and Singapore, and is now being viewed as a potential template for broader regional collaboration. Singapore plays a key role in region In a separate panel discussion, Rachel Eng, council member of Asean-BAC Singapore, said the region's cohesion will be critical in navigating rising geopolitical and economic challenges. 'Singapore stands together with our Asean brothers and sisters. If others in the region suffer, we suffer too,' she added. Eng pointed out that while Singapore remains the largest recipient of foreign direct investment in the region, a substantial portion of that capital is routed to other Asean countries. She highlighted Singapore's strengths as an efficient financial centre, citing its 80-plus double-taxation agreements. 'It's very easy to set up a business here… we have no exchange controls, and our system is entirely rules-based. Yet, much of this capital finds its way into Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and our other neighbours.' Eng sees Singapore playing a critical role in facilitating stronger investment flows to Asean. 'Regardless of tariffs, we will remain open, transparent, and committed to deepening our financial ties with the region.' During the forum, China Galaxy Securities (CGS) and CGS International Securities Group signed five strategic memorandums of understanding with regional partners. Among them was a deal with Bursa Malaysia and Shanghai-based Fullgoal Asset Management to facilitate the listing of foreign-underlying exchange-traded funds on Bursa Malaysia, offering local investors broader exposure to global markets. CGS and CGS International also signed a letter of intent for the China-Asean Investment Programme aimed at establishing a private-equity fund to invest in high-growth sectors including healthcare, semiconductors, renewable energy and agriculture. The fund, with Malaysia as a key regional anchor, is designed to facilitate the transfer of technology and industry expertise from China to Asean.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Asean-BAC to establish Asean private markets association by year-end: Nazir Razak
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Business Advisory Council (Asean-BAC) is in the process of establishing the Asean Private Markets Association, expected to be formalised by year-end. Asean-BAC Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Nazir Razak said a pro tem committee comprising members from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia is working towards the association's formal establishment. "The idea is to create a platform to advise governments on enhancing policies to develop the private markets industry, including venture capital and private equity, across Asean," he told reporters after delivering his welcoming address at the Asean Business Forum 2025 here today. Nazir said the association could help overcome market fragmentation issues and drive the region's industry development. "We estimate that up to US$60 billion (US$1 = RM4.26) in capital should be channelled to Asean private equity and venture funds, but certain reforms are needed to reduce market fragmentation and improve conditions for investment monetisation," he said. According to Nazir, the council conducted a research report with McKinsey, which shows Asean private markets are underdeveloped, estimated at only 0.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), compared to the global benchmark average of 1.5 per cent of GDP. "The report shows that the private markets industry is extremely important to the economy but remains too small in Asean," said Nazir. On another note, Nazir said Asean stands at a pivotal moment and hopes the region can move forward with economic integration. "This year at Asean-BAC, our priorities and activities have been carefully designed to capture the essence of the current opportunities and challenges confronting us. "We have strived to facilitate dialogues, forge partnerships and propose actionable recommendations that will empower Asean businesses to capitalise on growing intra-regional collaboration, and to lead in adopting cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices," he added.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Asean-BAC to set up Asean private markets association by year-end, says Nazir
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Business Advisory Council (Asean-BAC) is in the process of establishing the Asean Private Markets Association, expected to be formalised by year-end, says Tan Sri Nazir Razak. The Asean-BAC Malaysia chairman said a pro tem committee comprising members from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia is working towards the association's formal establishment. "The idea is to create a platform to advise governments on enhancing policies to develop the private markets industry, including venture capital and private equity, across Asean," he told reporters after delivering his welcoming address at the Asean Business Forum 2025 here Thursday (May 29). Nazir said the association could help overcome market fragmentation issues and drive the region's industry development. "We estimate that up to US$60bil (RM255bil) in capital should be channelled to Asean private equity and venture funds, but certain reforms are needed to reduce market fragmentation and improve conditions for investment monetisation," he said. According to Nazir, the council conducted a research report with McKinsey, which shows Asean private markets are underdeveloped, estimated at only 0.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), compared to the global benchmark average of 1.5% of GDP. "The report shows that the private markets industry is extremely important to the economy but remains too small in Asean," said Nazir. On another note, Nazir said Asean stands at a pivotal moment and hopes the region can move forward with economic integration. "This year at Asean-BAC, our priorities and activities have been carefully designed to capture the essence of the current opportunities and challenges confronting us. "We have strived to facilitate dialogues, forge partnerships and propose actionable recommendations that will empower Asean businesses to capitalise on growing intra-regional collaboration, and to lead in adopting cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices," he added. - Bernama
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
ASEAN leaders respond positively to ASEAN-BAC's 12 priority economic deliverables
KUALA LUMPUR: Southeast Asian leaders have responded positively to the ASEAN Business Advisory Council's (ABAC) 12 priority economic deliverables (PEDs) aimed at deepening regional integration. ASEAN-BAC Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Nazir Razak said the PEDs are key economic initiatives designed to boost regional growth and integration, particularly under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) pillar. Among efforts to deepen economic integration include promoting inclusive growth, advancing sustainability and expanding the digital economy. 'These projects are going to take time as the officials will have to go through the policy implications and policy changes,' he told the media after the ASEAN leaders' interface with ASEAN-BAC representatives here today. Among other PED initiatives are the flagship ASEAN Business Entity (ABE) and the ASEAN Initial Public Offering (IPO) prospectus. Nazir said that ASEAN businesses should strengthen collaboration and seize opportunities within the regional bloc amid global economic uncertainty. The public and private sectors across ASEAN, as a region, must work together to capitalise on emerging prospects, he said. 'We all have to work together because we can do a lot more. Certainly, we take heed of what the government and the leaders are saying, and we want to do it. 'Of course, there are certain policy changes that would be helpful to us and that's what we're pushing for,' he added. The interface was held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit. The 46th ASEAN Summit spans two days starting today, and Malaysia is also hosting two key high-level engagements that coincide with it — the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit. This year marks Malaysia's fifth time as ASEAN Chair, having previously held the chairmanship in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015.
