The 26th ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC) Meeting was held on Friday (24th) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, with a total of 12 agenda items up for discussion.
Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul, pointed out that today’s meeting is expected to be conducted in a concise and highly efficient manner, with all agenda items to be completed within 3 hours, reflecting the positive progress and momentum of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
“We will focus on topics that require AECC approval before submission to the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC), and subsequently to the 47th ASEAN Summit.
“Therefore, we should minimize statements made only for the record, and instead concentrate on specific topics that need AECC’s guidance or decision, to ensure today’s meeting is more efficient and streamlined.”
He made these remarks in his opening speech at the 26th AECC Meeting. Attendees included Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Liew Chin Tong, as well as Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong.
As chairman of this AECC meeting, Tengku Zafrul looks forward to hearing progress updates and reports on various ASEAN Economic Community initiatives this year.
He noted that these latest reports help to review the overall progress of the ASEAN Economic Community and identify areas that need renewed focus and collective effort.
“I look forward to the updates on Malaysia’s 2025 Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs), as these deliverables have brought tangible progress to ASEAN economic integration.
“Moreover, we also welcome Timor-Leste’s participation today. According to the revised guidelines approved by the 35th ASEAN Coordinating Council, Timor-Leste has been invited to take part in this discussion.”
The AECC is one of the three ASEAN Community Councils, responsible for coordinating the overall affairs of the ASEAN Economic Community. This AECC meeting was convened in preparation for the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings to be held from October 26 to 28 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.