ASEAN suggested to capitalise on population to boost growth

Malaysia calls for capitalisation of ASEAN’s population to boost growth

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to leverage on its large population base as a more integrated market to achieve greater economic growth.
Malaysia calls for capitalisation of ASEAN’s population to boost growth ảnh 1Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2019 in Bangkok on November 2 (Photo: WATN)

Hanoi (VNA) – Malaysian Prime Minister MahathirMohamad has called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) toleverage on its large population base as a more integrated market to achievegreater economic growth.

He made the remark while addressing the ASEANBusiness and Investment Summit 2019 in Bangkok on November 2, which was part ofthe ongoing 35th ASEAN Summit.

According to him, ASEAN is not making full useof a combined population of some 650 million. Meanwhile, China achieved asignificant growth during the past four decades as the country made full use ofits large population as a huge market.

He also called for greater integration and cooperationamong the 10 ASEAN member countries in facing the challenges brought by newtechnology.

PM Mahathir said the 10 countries, each withdifferent ideas and different needs, should overcome their differences. If theydo that, they will be able to benefit from the new technologies, and theireconomies will also grow much faster and maybe they can catch up with some ofthe other developed countries./.
VNA

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