ASEAN-BAC Malaysia led Malaysia’s private sector in calling for the government to ratify the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) by end-2021. The event which was held on 22 June 2021 was attended by more than 300 attendees from the private sectors, business associations, and government officials.

YBhg. Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad, Secretary General of Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (DTCA) delivered his special address by emphasising that “The Malaysian government is committed to ensuring that the post-pandemic economic recovery process is implemented in a structured and timely manner and that free trade agreements such as the RCEP will certainly help in the recovery of domestic businesses.”

RCEP Panel Discussion – “RCEP as an important catalyst for Malaysia’s growth and how to cement Malaysia’s position as a gateway for RCEP”

Moderated by Mr Raja Singham (Council Member)

Panelists:

1. Mr Lee Heng Guie
Executive Director of Socio-Economic Research Centre (SERC) of The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM)
2. Datuk K. Surendran Kutty Krishnan
Honorary Secretary of Malaysia-India Business Council (MIBC)
3. Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal
Vice President of Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA)

CPTPP Panel Discussion – “Strengthening trade and investment through CPTPP and how it provides complementary platform to RCEP”

Moderated by Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon (Council Member)

Panelists:

1. Tan Sri Dr. Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria
Former Secretary General of Ministry of International Trade & Industry
Executive Director of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Secretariat
2. Tan Sri Dato’ Soh Thian Lai
President of Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers
3. Mr. Billy Urudra
President of Malaysian Organisation of Pharmaceutical Industries (MOPI)
4. Mr. Christopher Leong
Immediate Past President of The Law Association of Asia and the Pacific (LAWASIA)
Past President of the Bar Council Malaysia

In his closing remarks, Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Munir Majid, Chairman of ASEAN-BAC Malaysia acknowledged the Memorandum of Support which was signed by 21 business associations for the government to expedite the ratification of both agreements, which has been submitted to MITI.

Hosted by ASEAN-BAC Malaysia’s Supervisor Ms. Jukhee Hong, the three hour webinar discusses pertinent issues with industry leaders to examine the risks and opportunities associated with the two most comprehensive and trade deals in recent years, while encouraging the government to expedite the early ratification for the RCEP and CPTPP for Malaysia.