KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia intends to reinforce ASEAN's central role in guiding the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) during the 5th RCEP Leaders' Meeting next week.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said RCEP represents far more than an economic arrangement -- it is a strategic affirmation that open regionalism remains the pathway to shared prosperity.
"We want RCEP to serve not just the interests of large multinational corporations, but also to deliver concrete benefits to our small and medium enterprises (SMEs), workers, and communities," he said during the closing of the DHL GoTrade Summit 2025 here, today.
The 5th RCEP Leaders’ Meeting is scheduled for October 27 and will be held on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit, taking place from October 26 to 28.
"The success of RCEP will depend on our ability to translate commitments into opportunities,” Anwar said.
"This includes addressing non-tariff barriers, enhancing trade facilitation, and ensuring that the digital economy, green transition, and services sectors are fully integrated into the framework.
"In advancing this vision of deeper integration, it is timely that ASEAN, and the world at large, turn their attention to RCEP, the world’s largest trade agreement, encompassing nearly one-third of global gross domestic product (GDP) and trade," he added.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the ASEAN region has become a crucial link in the global supply chain, a hub for manufacturing, and a vibrant market of 680 million people.
Within five years, he noted, ASEAN is expected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, and must continue to uphold the principles of openness and unity amid global uncertainties.
"This growth is not accidental -- it is the result of our collective resolve to uphold free and fair trade while harnessing our comparative advantages.
"Malaysia’s aspiration is clear: we aim to strengthen our role as a trusted investment hub, while ensuring that local enterprises and start-ups are not left behind," he added. - Bernama
