KUALA LUMPUR: As Malaysia assumes the Asean chairmanship next year, it should focus on implementing more people-centric measures and enhancing intra-Asean trade, say experts.
Microsoft’s Asean regional director of legal and government affairs Dr Jasmine Begum said as Asean has grown up and evolved, Malaysia has emerged as an influential player, not just within the regional framework but also on the global economic stage.
“What we see as an opportunity is beyond just movement of goods and trade, (but) it is the movement of people, small business. We have seen startup companies from across the region, whether it is Grab Malaysia, Gojek (Indonesian e-hailing company), going transnational, Asean and global.
“Malaysia is in a great position to spearhead some of these leading edge areas but more importantly I am excited to see what it means to Asean people,” she said during Bernama TV’s “The Nation Asean+” programme.
Meanwhile, Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun said Malaysia is a major trading power that trades not only with some of the world’s largest economies but also with many Asean members.
He spotlighted that intra-Asean trade currently accounts for only a quarter of the total trade between Asean countries and the world’s major economic powers.
“If we could raise that to half, doubling the intra-Asean trade, it would be a notable achievement for Malaysia,” he said. Malaysia welcomes investments from fellow Asean countries, which can invest more in other Asean nations, said Oh.
Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2024/10/23/people-centric-measures-vital-as-asean-chair-for-msia