Stronger APEC cooperation

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia remains committed to strengthening regional economic cooperation and ensuring the Asia-Pacific remains open, resilient and conducive to sustainable trade and investment growth, the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry said.

The ministry said Malaysia reaffirmed its commitment to an open, transparent and rules-based global trading system anchored in the World Trade Organisation at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting in China.

Leading the Malaysian delegation in Suzhou from May 22 to 23 was Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

Johari said Malaysia remains committed to working with Apec economies to advance regional integration.

He said digital transformation, sustainability initiatives, energy security and supply chain cooperation should deliver business-focused outcomes for the Asia-Pacific region.

The ministry said Malaysia underlined that regional and mega trade agreements should complement and reinforce the WTO framework.

It also stressed the need to deepen cooperation on energy security and strengthen supply chain resilience amid global disruptions.

Malaysia also highlighted the importance of ensuring the benefits of digitalisation, artificial intelligence adoption and the green transition remain practical, inclusive and accessible, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

It added that this would be supported through greater interoperability, capacity building and simpler implementation frameworks.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Johari held discussions with counterparts from China, the United States, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Japan and Singapore to strengthen economic partnerships.

The parties exchanged views on global economic developments, including cooperation through Apec and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Talks focused on strengthening trade and investment ties, expanding collaboration in strategic sectors such as energy security and supply chains, and reinforcing investor confidence and regional economic resilience.

Johari also met representatives of the US-Apec Business Coalition and several companies with investments and operations in Malaysia.

Discussions centred on trade and investment trends, supply chain resilience, digitalisation and investment facilitation.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

المصدر: New Straits Times