Kuala lumpur: The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth has joined forces with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) to organize the first Mastercard ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit, set to be held in Kuala Lumpur in late October this year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the summit marks the beginning of a series of three events planned for Southeast Asia over the coming three years. This initiative represents a significant step in Mastercard’s commitment to fostering economic growth, supporting both consumers and small businesses across the Asia-Pacific region. The collaboration aligns with the ASEAN-BAC’s emphasis on sustained, inclusive economic development amidst an evolving global and economic context.

The Mastercard Center stated that the summit aims to build on the success of its Global Inclusive Growth Summit, promoting sustainable economic advancement and enhancing ASEAN’s collective prosperity. It seeks to demonstrate how regional and business leaders can unite to create opportunities for all, encouraging an exchange of ideas between leaders from both the East and the West. This exchange is intended to pave the way for innovation, partnerships, and shared outcomes throughout the region.

Jon Huntsman, vice chairman and president of strategic growth at Mastercard, highlighted the critical juncture Southeast Asia currently faces, where growth needs to be accompanied by security, inclusion, and access. As the region deals with challenges ranging from economic fragmentation to digital disruption, Mastercard’s collaboration with ASEAN-BAC underscores its commitment to helping individuals and businesses unlock economic opportunities, ensuring everyone can benefit from the digital economy.