Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Over 450 business leaders and government officials from across ASEAN gathered in Kuala Lumpur on August 7-8 for the 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum.
The event, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The forum highlighted three core themes: scaling ASEAN digital future, building a green ASEAN, and unleashing ASEAN’s entrepreneurial spirit. Panel discussions focused on harnessing technology to stimulate economic growth, particularly through digital payments, e-commerce, and cross-border platforms.
A significant emphasis was placed on investment in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives and circular economy models to ensure a greener, more sustainable future for ASEAN. Additionally, the forum underscored the vital role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups by advocating for enhanced access to financial resources and support mechanisms.
In his remarks, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz called on Malaysian firms, especially SMEs, to boost their global competitiveness to navigate trade and tariff challenges. He advocated for strategic investments in overseas production and making products essential within global markets.
Amid rising protectionism, Tengku Zafrul stressed the importance of “returning to basics” for Malaysian and ASEAN businesses. By integrating deeply into global supply chains, companies can better withstand tariff and non-tariff barriers.
The ABCD 2025 Forum is anticipated to yield significant policy recommendations, foster strategic partnerships, and shape an inclusive roadmap for ASEAN’s economic growth moving forward./.
