ASEAN-BAC To Present Proposals To Strengthen The Regional Economy At AEM Retreat -- Tengku Zafrul

By Norsyafawati Ab Wahab

KOTA TINGGI, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) will present its proposals to strengthen the regional economic position at the 31st ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Retreat session in Desaru tomorrow.

Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said that Malaysia, as the ASEAN chair for 2025, is prepared to listen to and consider all proposals from private sector entities in the region, including ASEAN-BAC.

“We are open to suggestions and, in fact, we have given a time slot for them tomorrow to present to all the ASEAN economic leaders, together with the ASEAN Secretariat.

“We will discuss and see what we think is feasible to adopt for the benefit of ASEAN,” he told a media conference today in conjunction with the hosting of the AEM Retreat in Desaru, Johor.

The important thing, he said, is that the meeting will listen to and refine all proposals from ASEAN’s private sector.

Yesterday, Bernama reported that ASEAN-BAC chairman Tan Sri Nazir Razak called for the Jakarta-based ASEAN Secretariat to be given more clout to flag countries that resort to non-tariff barriers.

According to Nazir, the move to empower the secretariat could help reduce barriers to trade and private sector growth, as well as strengthen economic integration in Southeast Asia.

The ASEAN Secretariat currently functions as a coordinator to facilitate effective decision-making processes within and among ASEAN bodies.

Tengku Zafrul will chair the 31st AEM Retreat session tomorrow.

The AEM and Related Meetings are being held in Desaru from Feb 22 to 28 in line with Malaysia’s role as the ASEAN chair for 2025.

-- BERNAMA