In preparation for Malaysia’s APEC 2020 host year, the National Center for APEC, in partnership with ABAC Malaysia, coordinated a two-day, pre-host year Mission for NCAPEC Board companies. It was a timely opportunity for the delegation to discuss priorities and possible initiatives for APEC 2020 directly with key government officials and private sector stakeholders.
The first meeting was with members of the Kuala Lumpur Business Club (KLBC), including KLBC member and Malaysia’s future ABAC Chair and current Malaysian ABAC member, Dato’ Rohana Tan Sri Mahmood. The meeting highlighted the mutual benefits of cooperation between businesses in both economies, as well as the private sector’s role in advancing bilateral trade relations.
Next, members traveled to Putrajaya to meet with the Minister of Energy, Honorable Puan Yeo Bee Yin, the Deputy Minister for Multimedia and Communications, Honorable Eddin Syazlee Shith, and finally Malaysia’s Minister of Finance, Honorable Tuan Lim Guan Eng. The NCAPEC delegation raised policy priorities specific to each sector, while noting the opportunities and challenges in cross-cutting issues, such as the digital economy and energy security.
The following day the delegation met with Malaysia’s APEC Senior Official, Aida Safinaz Allias, at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry to discuss the plans for APEC Malaysia 2020. Finally, the delegation had lunch at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur with Deputy Chief of Mission, Dean Thompson. The lunch discussion addressed how U.S. industry and government can collaborate to support the APEC agenda and advance trade policies conducive to economic growth.
NCAPEC Mission to Malaysia delegation and Kuala Lumpur Business Club Members. Members heard from key individuals from Malaysia representing diverse industries about Malaysian trade issues and the responsibilities of hosting APEC in Malaysia in 2020. Especially key will be Malaysia’s contribution to APEC, post Bogor goals which are set to expire at the end of their host year.
NCAPEC Delegation meets with the Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change (MESTECC); Honorable Puan Yeo Bee Yin (front center). Members heard from the Honorable Minister about MESTECC’s goal to liberalize and increase competition for energy.
NCAPEC President, Monica Hardy Whaley and YB Puan Yeo take a photo at the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change (MESTECC).
NCAPEC Delegation meets with Honorable Tuan Lim Guan Eng, Malaysia’s Minister of Finance.
