Malaysia: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasized Malaysia’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and regional cooperation among ASEAN member states as the country prepares to chair ASEAN in 2025. Anwar addressed Thai business leaders, underscoring Malaysia’s dedication to attracting sustainable investments that positively impact the region. He outlined Malaysia’s vision of a resilient, inclusive, and globally integrated ASEAN, highlighting the importance of strengthening relations with neighboring countries such as Thailand.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar shared Malaysia’s robust economic policies, including the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), and the Green Investment Strategy (GIS). These initiatives aim to generate high-skilled job opportunities and enhance local supply chain capabilities to meet the evolving demands of the country’s key sectors.
During his address, Anwar invited Thai investors to explore quality investment projects in Malaysia, particularly in high value-added activities within targeted sectors. He presented Malaysia as an ideal destination for investments in sectors such as electrical and electronics, automotive (electric vehicles), chemicals, advanced materials, the digital economy, renewable energy, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
On his two-day working visit to Thailand, Anwar met with prominent Thai industry leaders including Thai Charoen Corp (TCC) Group CEO Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, Minor International (MINT) Group founder and chairman William Ellwood Heinecke, and PTT Public Company Ltd CEO and president Dr. Kongkrapan Intarajang. Earlier, Anwar led the Malaysian delegation in a bilateral meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra at the Government House.
The Malaysian delegation included Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin, and ASEAN’s Special Envoy to Myanmar, Tan Sri Othman Hashim.
According to the Malaysian Foreign Ministry, Thailand was Malaysia’s seventh-largest trading partner globally and third-largest within ASEAN in 2024, with total trade amounting to US$25.03 billion (RM114.56 billion). Between January and February this year, bilateral trade stood at US$3.96 billion (RM17.65 billion), reflecting an increase from US$3.67 billion (RM16.80 billion) during the same period in 2024.