Change of ASEAN Chairmanship from Thailand to Vietnam

The 10 ASEAN members traditionally take turns chairing the regional grouping in alphabetical order, and Vietnam has formally took over as Chairman of ASEAN from Jan 1st, 2020. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to ASEAN.

According to Dr. Doan Duy Khuong, Chairman of ASEAN-BAC Vietnam, the main theme of ASEANBAC 2020 this year is “Digital ASEAN for sustainable development”, following the theme of ASEANBAC 2019 “Empowering ASEAN 4.0”, emphasizing the impact of the digital age; linking the economic development with the social development: sustainable and inclusive. The theme also represents the pioneering of the business community: innovation, creativity, the responsibility for the sustainable development of the region.

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26th ASEAN Economic Ministers Retreat

Vietnam’s 12 priorities as ASEAN Chair in 2020 were approved by other member countries at the 26th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEANBAC) Consultation Meeting on 10th of March 2020.

Member countries also agreed 62 measures to be prioritised in the ASEAN Agenda 2020. They included commodities commercialisation, facilitation of trade and skillful worker movement, onestop shop ASEAN policies, the investment environment, competition policies, consumer protection, intellectual co-operation, electronic trade and boosting the role of small-medium-sized enterprises, as well as ASEAN globalisation.

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Luncheon Dialogue with Sarawak SMEs

ASEAN-BAC Malaysia held a dialogue session with Sarawak SMEs in Kuching on the 20th February 2020. The dialogue was attended by about 70 participants, including representatives in Sarawak of SME Corporation, MITI, MATRADE and from the State Economic Planning Unit, a lively discussion followed on the future of business in Sarawak in an environment of technological change but also from the development of the new Indonesian capital in Kalimantan and of Indonesia in general.

The issue of many existing institutions not engaging and providing sufficient information to business enterprises was raised, as well as that of existing regional arrangements such as BIMP-EAGA (BruneiIndonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) not really being actively driven ahead.

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Site Visit to D’Virtual Park

ASEAN-BAC Malaysia visited the D'Virtual Park by Serba DigitalX in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak on the 19th February 2020.

Serba Dinamik Group Bhd in collaboration of Startup Borneo plans to launch D’Virtual Park, Malaysia’s first virtual reality theme park which uses hologram technology next month. The collaboration will provide a huge networking opportunity for start-ups in the digital technology segment.

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83rd ASEAN-BAC Meeting

The 83rd ASEAN-BAC Meeting was held on 9th January 2020 at the BRG Legend Hill Golf Resort, Hanoi, Vietnam. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Doan Duy Khuong of Vietnam and co-chaired by Khun Arin Jira of Thailand.

The meeting was filled with discussion on the summary record of the previous meeting, report and assessment of 2019 Thai Chairmanship, 2nd ASEAN Integration Report 2019 (AIR 2019), ABAC Vietnam’s Chairmanship updates, status and updates of ABAC Legacy Projects, introduction on ABAC Indonesia’s new Council Members and other related matters.

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MITI: Malaysia’s trade with Asean, major market Japan increased in Feb

Malay Mail, 3 April 2020

Expert: 'Malaysia may face recession'

New Straits Times, 24 March 2020

ASEAN-BAC Malaysia engages Sarawak SMEs

The Star, 20 February 2020

ASEAN-BAC Malaysia holds dialogue with Sarawak SMEs

The Edge, 20 February 2020

ASEAN-BAC to continue its focus on SME development in Sarawak

New Straits Times, 20 February 2020

S’wak SMEs need to evolve and expand market reach

The Borneo Post, 20 February 2020