Malaysia, ASEAN share experience on digital economy with East Asian and African counterparts

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22  -- Malaysia and ASEAN have shared their experience and challenges in developing infrastructure, governance and a vibrant digital economy with distinguished participants from East Asia and Africa during World Bank Malaysia's East Asia-Africa Policy Dialogue Webinar yesterday.

Presenting the information via teleconferencing, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah shared with panel members of the online forum on the backbone of a robust digital ecosystem to drive the economy forward in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In his post on Facebook this morning, Saifuddin said he also shared Malaysia’s experiences and best practices in development and digitalisation policies.

The discussion moderated by Mr Ndiame Diop, Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand of the World Bank Group, focused on enhancing economic ties as well as leveraging on rapid digital transformation to drive economic recovery and development progress in these critical times.

The panel among others featured Senior Minister and special adviser to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Dr Arkebe Oqubay, Minister of State, Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire Patrick Achi, and the Undersecretary of National Economic and Development Authority, Philippines, Dr Rosemarie Edillon. 

Malaysia has a longstanding history of bilateral and multilateral engagements with African countries including the Bandung Conference, the Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), and the Langkawi International Dialogue, which have helped the countries leverage on strengths and diversity to collectively address mutual challenges since the 1950s. 

-- BERNAMA