(From left) Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for the Econcomy Airlangga Hartarto, ADB president Masatsugu Asakawa, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Indonesian president Joko Widodo, Thailand Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn dan Malaysia Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli at the IMT-GT summit in conjunction with the 42nd Asean Summit. - Photo: Bernama
LABUAN BAJO (Indonesia): Malaysia intends to explore cooperation with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the fields of energy and climate change, especially on capacity building, technical assistance and green economy.
This intent was conveyed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his meeting with ADB president Masatsugu Asakawa on the sidelines of the 42nd Asean Summit here Thursday (May 11).
ALSO READ: Anwar: Asean Summit strengthened ties, solidified partnerships among member states
According to the note made available to the media, the meeting also discussed the framework of cooperation agreements with the ADB involving the private sector and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
During the meeting, Asakawa also expressed support for Malaysia's target to become a carbon-free country by 2050, saying that ADB will publish a Climate Change Action Plan report that will enable Malaysia to explore more opportunities for cooperation.
ALSO READ: PM reiterates call for Asian Monetary Fund to be set up
He was satisfied with the existing cooperation between Malaysia and ADB in the field of green cities, as well as sustainable and green financing for housing for low-income groups in Malaysia.
The ADB president hoped to increase cooperation with Malaysia through the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) and the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area’s (BIMP-EAGA).
He also expressed appreciation for Malaysia's contribution to the ADB Fund over the years. - Bernama
