KUALA LUMPUR: The 53rd ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting and Related Meetings concluded on a positive note for the revitalisation of regional economic growth and the importance of ASEAN centrality and commitment to work collectively and emerge from the COVID-19 crisis successfully. The AEM also welcomed the finalisation of the ‘Bandar Seri Begawan Roadmap: An ASEAN Digital Transformation Agenda to Accelerate ASEAN’s Economic Recovery and Digital Economy Integration (BSBR)’, which will provide a focused plan for ASEAN to develop an enabling environment for a robust ASEAN digital economy and ensure the region emerges stronger from the pandemic. He reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to incorporate comprehensive digital economy elements in international trade arrangements and cooperation so as to create a digital trade environment with improved stability, lower risks, and reduced compliance costs. The initiative complements Malaysia’s MyDIGITAL that outlines strategies to drive the growth of the digital economy and narrow the digital divide as well as to transform the nation into a digitally-enabled and technology-driven high-income economy. The ministers endorsed the Framework for Circular Economy for the ASEAN Economic Community in recognising the importance of advancing sustainable economic agenda.

Source: The Star September 11, 2021 03:11 UTC