PUTRAJAYA: Asean must deepen trade among its member states to realise its ambition of becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
He said intra-regional trade currently accounts for less than 25%, and nations in the bloc must turn existing trade mechanisms into stronger economic ties.
Mohamad said various mechanisms, including the free movement of goods within the region, were already in place to support this.
“Malaysia successfully brought forward many resolutions last year when chairing Asean.
“Today, the Philippines is chairing Asean, continuing to advance the resolutions adopted during the Kuala Lumpur Declaration and Malaysia’s chairmanship,” he told a press conference at the 59th Asean Day celebration at Wisma Putra here yesterday.
Recalling the establishment of Asean, Mohamad said the grouping began with a determination to make South-East Asia a peaceful region.
“Today, Asean is 59 years old and has grown, with Timor-Leste being accepted as its youngest member, joining the family.
“We are no longer focused solely on political issues but increasingly on challenges such as how we can collectively become a bloc with a strong economy.
“Hopefully, with Malaysia entrusted as the permanent shepherd for the Asean Community Vision 2045, we want to ensure that our foundation, which is trade, can be further strengthened and achieved together.”
Also present at the celebration, themed 59 Years of Navigating Together, was Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
On the plan to repatriate 5,000 Myanmar refugees, Mohamad said Myanmar had expressed readiness to receive them.
“When I met Myanmar’s new Foreign Minister, they expressed readiness to take back the 5,000 refugees by ship. But the issue is the safety of those being returned,” he said.
On efforts to address the Myanmar crisis, Mohamad said Asean’s Five-Point Consensus remained the backbone of regional efforts to resolve the issue.
The consensus calls for an immediate end to violence, dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy, the provision of humanitarian aid and a visit by the envoy to Myanmar.
