Malaysia, Singapore eye stronger business links to boost intra-Asean trade

During the Third Annual Ministerial Dialogue between Malaysia's Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and Singapore's Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry (METI), leaders discussed enhancing business connectivity and boosting intra-Asean trade.

Both countries aim to leverage strengths in supply chains, digital economy, and key industries to increase Asean's share of trade.

Strategies include the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) and enhancing regional connectivity in sectors like supply chains and electronics.

The dialogue stressed cooperation to improve bilateral trade and economic activities within the region.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 — Malaysia and Singapore can collaborate to enhance business connectivity within Asean and boost intra-Asean trade by leveraging their strengths in supply chains, the digital economy, and key industries.

This was emphasised during the Third Annual Ministerial Dialogue between the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) and Singapore’s Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry (Meti), which was represented by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who is also minister for trade and industry.

Miti Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said both countries could explore ways to facilitate greater trade and business linkages among Asean member states, with the long-term objective of increasing the share of intra-Asean trade.

“Intra-Asean trade is not fully tapped. The total trade among the 11 countries in Asean is US$4.37 trillion, and among us Asean is only about US$800 billion to US$900 billion.

“There is much more we can accomplish, and I discussed with Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kin Yong the potential for enhancing business connectivity among all Asean countries. Our goal is to eventually see that 50 per cent of the US$4.37 trillion trade is conducted within Asean,” he told reporters here today.

Johari said the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) would also be an important strategy to strengthen intra-Asean trade.

He said Malaysia had proposed DEFA during its Asean chairmanship in 2025, and it was now important to move towards implementation and execution, with Singapore taking the initiative as the current Asan chair.

“It is Singapore’s turn to take the initiative, and we need to help them to make sure that we use DEFA as one of the strategies to further boost intra-Asean trade,” said Johari.

He emphasised that Asean could leverage stronger regional connectivity across almost all sectors, particularly supply chains and food security, as well as electrical and electronics (E&E).

“While not all industries are involved, a significant portion of our focus is on leveraging Asean for our supply chain, particularly in terms of food security.

“Additionally, there are many other areas where we can benefit from the strong connectivity that Singapore has to offer,” said Johari.

The annual ministerial dialogue between Malaysia and Singapore brings together government and business representatives to identify and address issues affecting bilateral trade, services and economic activities. — Bernama

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在马来西亚投资、贸易和工业部 (MITI) 与新加坡能源、贸易和工业部 (METI) 举行的第三次年度部长级对话中，双方领导人讨论了加强商业联系和促进东盟内部贸易的问题。

两国都希望利用自身在供应链、数字经济和关键产业方面的优势，提高东盟在贸易中的份额。

相关战略包括东盟数字经济框架协议（DEFA）以及加强供应链和电子产品等领域的区域互联互通。

对话强调了合作以改善区域内的双边贸易和经济活动。

吉隆坡，10 月 1 日讯——马来西亚和新加坡可以合作，利用各自在供应链、数字经济和关键产业方面的优势，加强东盟内部的商业联系，促进东盟内部贸易。

在马来西亚投资、贸易和工业部 (MITI) 与新加坡能源、贸易和工业部 (METI) 举行的第三届年度部长级对话中，这一点得到了强调。新加坡能源、贸易和工业部由副总理兼贸易和工业部长颜金勇代表出席。

马来西亚国际贸易及工业部部长拿督斯里佐哈里·阿卜杜勒·加尼表示，两国可以探索促进东盟成员国之间更大贸易和商业联系的途径，其长期目标是提高东盟内部贸易份额。

“东盟内部贸易尚未得到充分开发。东盟11个国家之间的贸易总额为4.37万亿美元，而东盟内部贸易额仅为8000亿至9000亿美元左右。”

“我们还有很多工作要做，我与新加坡副总理颜金勇讨论了加强东盟各国商业互联互通的潜力。我们的目标是最终使4.37万亿美元贸易额的50%在东盟内部完成，”他今天在这里对记者说。

乔哈里表示，《东盟数字经济框架协议》（DEFA）也将是加强东盟内部贸易的重要战略。

他表示，马来西亚在 2025 年担任东盟轮值主席国期间提出了 DEFA 计划，现在重要的是要朝着实施和执行的方向迈进，而新加坡作为现任东盟轮值主席国，将发挥主导作用。

“现在轮到新加坡采取主动了，我们需要帮助他们，确保我们将DEFA作为进一步促进东盟内部贸易的战略之一，”Johari说。

他强调，东盟可以利用更强大的区域互联互通，覆盖几乎所有领域，特别是供应链和粮食安全，以及电气和电子（E&E）领域。

“虽然并非所有行业都参与其中，但我们重点关注的很大一部分是利用东盟来发展我们的供应链，尤其是在粮食安全方面。

“此外，新加坡强大的互联互通性还能让我们在许多其他领域受益，”乔哈里说。

马来西亚和新加坡每年举行部长级对话，汇聚两国政府和企业代表，共同探讨并解决影响双边贸易、服务和经济活动的问题。——马新社

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