Vast potential for enrichment of Asean-Australia partnership, says Anwar

(L-R) Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet, Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn watch a cultural performance after posing for the leaders' family photo during the 50th ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne on March 5, 2024. (Photo by William WEST/ AFP)

MELBOURNE: The Asean-Australia partnership has tremendous potential to be further enriched, including in strengthening the region's micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) ecosystem and accelerating its energy transition journey, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Highlighting areas for enhanced cooperation, Anwar, at the Asean-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne on Wednesday, called for accelerated business utilisation and engagement under the ambit of the Asean-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, especially for MSMEs.