Reforms help ASEAN respond to global uncertainties
Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has called on member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to implement structural economic reforms to enhance resilience in the face of global challenges and geopolitical shifts.
Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz (Photo: VNA)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has called on member states of the Association🐭 of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to implement structural economic reforms to enhance resilience in the face of global challenges and geopolitical shifts.
Addressing the PRAXIS 2025 Public Policy Conference on August 7, he said there is value in the willingness to have dialogue with all like-minded partners and in upholding the principles of non-alignment.
The minister said ASEAN had remained intact in the face of US President Donald Trump's “Liberation Day” tariff challenges, saying the tariffs posed a challenge to the bloc’s unity and coherence but it held on to its non-retaliatory approach.
Meanwhile, he said Malaysia remains focused on delivering key transformation blueprints such as the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and the 13th Malaysia Plan, which promote innovation, inclusivity and long-term resilience.
Malaysia has signed and implemented nine bilateral and nine regional free trade agreements as it remains steadfast in its support of an open, transparent and rules-based global trade order, he said.
As the 2025 ASEAN Chair, Zafrul said Malaysia had tabled 18 priority economic deliverables with more than half of trade-related targets already met, including the conclusion of negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area.
These upgraded agreements expand cooperation into services, e-commerce and small and medium enterprises. This marks a step forward in transforming ASEAN into a more cohesive economic bloc, he said./.
The forum, scheduled to take place from August 19 to 21, will serve as a platform to push for regional cooperation in building fairer and more inclusive legal systems, Minister of Law and Institutional Reform Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said at an ceremony to introduce the event on August 4.
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on July 29 called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to focus the bloc’s energies inward, towards building a more integrated and resilient ASEAN economy.
Within ASEAN itself, trade among member states still remains low, not even reaching 25%. Therefore, Malaysia has introduced a framework to ensure that trade among ASEAN countries is enhanced.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
Singapore led with a total of 8.8 billion USD in realised investment, followed by Hong Kong and mainland China, Malaysia, and Japan with 8 billion USD, 1.7 billion USD and 1.6 billion USD, respectively.
Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
The US has described Malaysia's role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as vital in helping ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
Indonesia ranks as the world's sixth-largest gold reserve holder, producing an estimated 160 to 200 tonnes annually, mainly through major state-owned enterprises. Despite this, much of the mined gold is held or traded abroad. In 2024 alone, Indonesia exported gold worth 5.4 billion USD while reimporting 2.6 billion USD worth of the metal.
Cambodia and Thailand vowed not to undertake provocative actions that may escalate tensions, including entering the other side’s air space and territory, and refrain from constructing or enhancing military infrastructure.
Trenggono emphasised that the Indonesian government aims to increase the total coverage of MPAs to 97.5 million hectares by 2045. This initiative forms a key component of the “Golden Indonesia 2045” vision, which prioritises sustainable maritime development and environmental protection.
