Kuala lumpur: BRICS and its partners must rally around the collective mission of creating technologies, jobs and well-being for the bottom billions of the world’s population, and they must act quickly, said Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong. He emphasized the urgency of this mission at the BRICS Forum on Partnership on New Industrial Revolution 2025 and the BRICS PartNIR Innovation Center’s entrepreneurs forum.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia, as the 2025 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) rotating chair, has adopted the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’. This theme aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s vision of a progressive Madani society with civilisational potential. Liew highlighted Malaysia’s New Industrial Masterplan (NIMP) 2030, which outlines four concurrent missions aimed at enhancing industry complexity, technological adoption, moving towards net-zero emissions, and ensuring widespread economic security.

Liew stressed that Malaysia’s aspirations extend beyond national borders, aiming for a shift from a ‘Made in Malaysia’ approach to a ‘Made by Malaysia’ model, fostering homegrown multinationals powered by technological innovation. This vision, he noted, is shared by many developing nations as reflected in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

He also remarked on the historical significance of the current era, suggesting that 2025 could be viewed retrospectively as a pivotal year of change, akin to the geopolitical shifts following the events of September 11, 2001, and China’s entry into the World Trade Organisation. Liew underscored the necessity for the Global South to generate demand through job creation, technological advancements, and maintaining peace and wellbeing.