By Karina Imran and Anas Abu Hassan
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- Thailand’s new Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun has heaped praise on Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship this year, notably Putrajaya, for having led the grouping in advancing regional economic integration.
Under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership, Suphajee said regional trade has been further reinforced despite the 58-year-old Southeast Asian grouping facing immense geopolitical challenges.
Foremost was the debilitating tariffs imposed by the United States on all 10 ASEAN member states.
“Under Malaysia’s leadership, ASEAN has also taken steps to strengthen strategic policy coordination to address geopolitical uncertainties and emerging global challenges.
“This includes promoting economic resilience, enhancing regional financial safety nets and developing policies that ensure ASEAN remains stable, competitive and adaptable in a rapidly changing world,” she told Bernama ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits taking place over the weekend.
Malaysia took over as ASEAN Chair for 2025 from Laos last year, while the next chairmanship would be held by the Philippines.
Touching on the 47th ASEAN Summit, Suphajee said Bangkok expects the gathering to serve as a pivotal platform for ASEAN to reaffirm its unity and economic vision amid growing geopolitical and geoeconomic uncertainties.
“This summit should send a strong and clear signal that ASEAN remains resilient, cohesive and forward-looking, ready to navigate external challenges while deepening regional economic integration and expanding cooperation with dialogue partners,” she noted.
She said the summit would demonstrate ASEAN’s progress through the substantial completion of its Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) for 2025, including major outcomes such as the signing of the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA 3.0).
“These milestones will strengthen regional supply chains and enhance intra-ASEAN trade, which is expected to grow beyond the current share of around 21.4 per cent of total trade by 2030,” she said.
On the ATIGA front, negotiations were successfully concluded in May this year, and the signing of the Second Protocol to Amend the ATIGA, which will take place during the upcoming ASEAN summit, represents the most comprehensive upgrade since the agreement entered into force in 2010.
Additionally, Suphajee said the substantial conclusion of the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), along with new initiatives such as the ASEAN AI Safety Network and the ASEAN Framework for Integrated Semiconductor Supply Chain (AFISS) are also important for the bloc’s development.
“I am very encouraged by the steady progress under Thailand’s chairmanship of the DEFA Negotiation Committee. We are on track to reach a substantial conclusion within this year, paving the way for the signing of the agreement next year.
“The DEFA will be a milestone for ASEAN, establishing a rules-based digital economy framework that promotes openness, trust and inclusion across the region,” she said.
Moreover, the adoption of the ASEAN Sustainable Investment Guidelines (ASIG) and the establishment of the ASEAN Centre of Excellence for micro, medium and small enterprises in Green Transition underlines ASEAN’s determination to pursue inclusive, responsible and sustainable growth, she added.
-- BERNAMA
