The Malaysian ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) will present suggestions to strengthen the region's economic position at the 31st ASEAN Economic Ministers' (AEM) Informal Meeting convening tomorrow.
Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Tengku Zafrul said that Malaysia, as the 2025 ASEAN Chair, is willing to listen to and consider all recommendations made by regional private entities such as ASEAN-BAC.
"The important thing is, we will listen and improve all suggestions from the ASEAN private sector. We are willing to hear these suggestions, and in fact, tomorrow we have already reserved a time slot for them to present these suggestions to all ASEAN economic leaders together with the ASEAN Secretariat.
"We will discuss to see which we think will benefit ASEAN."
He said this when asked during a special press conference held in conjunction with the AEM.
Yesterday, ASEAN-BAC Chairman Tan Sri Nasir suggested that the ASEAN Secretariat, headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia, should be given greater power to identify and notify countries implementing non-tariff barriers (NTBs) measures.
Nasir pointed out that strengthening the ASEAN Secretariat helps reduce trade barriers, promote private sector development, and enhance economic integration in the Southeast Asia region.
Currently, the main function of the ASEAN Secretariat is to act as a coordinating body to facilitate effective decision-making within and across ASEAN entities.
On the other hand, with the 31st AEM convening tomorrow, Zafrul, along with Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong, visited the International Media Center (IMC) located in Desaru this afternoon.
Zafrul arrived at 4:20 PM and was received by Bernama's CEO Datuk Seri Norul Afida, who conducted about a 5-minute briefing, including on the center's operations during the meeting.
Despite the tight schedule, Zafrul took the time to interact and greet local and international media personnel and expressed satisfaction with the center's operations.
Bernama is the official media and International Media Center coordinating agency for the 2025 ASEAN Summit and will provide news materials and images to local and international media personnel.