Kuala Lumpur: The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025 has reached a 97 percent implementation rate, with 75 percent of measures completed and 22 percent currently in progress, as stated by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz. The blueprint serves as a strategic roadmap to foster a highly integrated and cohesive ASEAN economy, focusing on inclusive and innovation-led growth and enhancing regional connectivity and competitiveness.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tengku Zafrul highlighted the significant progress achieved through the AEC Blueprint in areas such as trade liberalization, investment facilitation, micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) development, digital transformation, and sustainable economic initiatives. This announcement was made following the 25th ASEAN Economic Community Council Meeting in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit.
The AEC Council, which oversees various sectors under the ASEAN Economic Community Pillar, reaffirmed its commitment to economic integration. Tengku Zafrul emphasized that the 97 percent implementation rate demonstrates ASEAN’s collective dedication to integration and its ability to respond to global uncertainties effectively.
He also mentioned that the lessons and progress under the AEC Blueprint 2025 would provide a solid foundation for the development of the AEC Strategic Plan 2026-2030. This upcoming strategic plan is anticipated to guide the region’s economic growth and transformation beyond 2025.
The year 2025 is set as a pivotal milestone for ASEAN, with the launch of the AEC Strategic Plan 2026-2030 as part of the ASEAN Compendium, aligned with the overarching ASEAN Community Vision 2045 at the 46th ASEAN Summit. Tengku Zafrul announced that the Kuala Lumpur Declaration would be signed as part of this event.
The AEC Council expressed support for the AEC Strategic Plan and anticipated the Regional Socialisation session on June 12, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur. This session aims to engage multiple stakeholders and highlight the economic benefits of the strategic plan.
Moreover, the council discussed accelerating Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN’s Economic Agreements, as outlined in the 2023 roadmap. Malaysia prioritized Timor-Leste’s accession during its chairmanship, envisioning the potential for strengthened regional economic growth.
The council also addressed the economic outlook amid global uncertainties and the impact of volatile geo-economic conditions. Emphasizing the need for collective action, the council considered outcomes from various ASEAN Economic Ministers’ consultations and the ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force meeting.
The meeting witnessed participation from several ASEAN member states, including Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Laos, alongside representatives from the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.
The 46th ASEAN Summit, under Malaysia’s 2025 chairmanship, themed ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability,’ marks Malaysia’s fifth time leading the regional bloc.