Focus On Key Areas To Future-Proof ASEAN Blue Economy -- Maritime Institute
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 (Bernama) -- To future-proof the ASEAN Blue Economy, the regional bloc should focus on and integrate four key areas.
Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) Director-General Monaliza Suhaimi said the key areas are conserving and restoring mangrove habitats, scaling up offshore wind production, decarbonising international shipping and increasing the production of sustainably sourced ocean-based proteins.
"Conserving mangroves is above preserving nature. It strengthens coastal defences, protects ports, shipping routes and communities from erosion and extreme weather.
"Beyond cutting greenhouse gas emissions, it raises the bar for sustainable maritime connectivity worldwide and expands the supply of ocean-based proteins through sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. It not only safeguards but also eases the pressure on our fragile marine ecosystem," Monaliza said in her opening remarks at a seminar “Jointly Building a New Engine for China-ASEAN Blue Economy”.
She said combining automation, utilisation and Internet of Things into the maritime infrastructure could reduce emissions.
As Malaysia leverages the Hainan Free Trade Port under the China–ASEAN Marine Tourism and Cultural Economic Circle initiative, MIMA projects Malaysia’s tourism sector to grow between 10 and 15 per cent annually over a five-year horizon due to Chinese arrivals.
MIMA head of Maritime Economics and Industries Mazlinawati Abdul Majid said this growth is expected to contribute RM1.5 billion to RM2.2 billion to the country's gross domestic product.
"In terms of infrastructure, the joint development of ports, marinas and resorts is worth up to RM1 billion.
“The industry spillover from the hospitality and marine leisure sectors will benefit small and medium enterprise (SME) linkages, which in turn, will create 5,000 to 7,000 new jobs in hospitality, transport and cultural services," she said at a discussion Leveraging Hainan Free Trade Port to Develop the China-ASEAN Marine Tourism and Cultural Economic Circle.
She noted that the projection highlights a key benefit of the collaboration, which is the creation of an integrated cruise and yacht circuit connecting Hainan, China; Langkawi, Kedah; Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and other ASEAN hubs.
Thus, she noted that leveraging Hainan FTP is not just about tourism, but is about building a long-term transformative partnership that captures high-value tourism, stimulates coastal development and also secures strategic investment.
"With this initiative, Malaysia can confidently position itself as a co-leader with China in shaping the next decade of ASEAN-China maritime Cooperation," she added.
-- BERNAMA