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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia remains committed to working closely with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

This is to ensure that sustainability, innovation, and open trade go hand in hand in advancing a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready Asia-Pacific, he said.

Tengku Zafrul will lead Malaysia's delegation to the 31st APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in Jeju, South Korea, from May 15 to 16, where artificial intelligence (AI) and demographic challenges will be among the key discussion points.

In a statement today, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) said the MRT Meeting is being held amidst global uncertainties and the pressing need for the Asia-Pacific region to uphold multilateralism, enhance free trade and strengthen supply chains.

MITI said Malaysia will use the platform to reaffirm its strong support for a transparent, rules-based multilateral trading system, anchored by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

This position is aligned with the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, which promotes open, fair, and non-discriminatory trade and investment to deepen regional integration and foster sustainable, inclusive growth.

"Malaysia fully supports APEC's focus on AI as a catalyst for trade facilitation and innovation, which directly reflects the vision's aspiration for an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community powered by innovation and digitalisation," MITI said.

On the sidelines of the MRT meeting, Tengku Zafrul is also expected to hold bilateral talks with key trade partners, including APEC-ASEAN trade ministers and WTO director-general Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Additionally, the Informal Ministerial Meeting of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will take place alongside the main APEC sessions.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2025/05/1214995/malaysia-champion-open-trade-ai-cooperation-apec-meeting