Kuala Lampur, Sept. 29 -- As Malaysia carries the Asean Chairmanship into 2025, one of its proudest deliverables has been the tangible progress in trade and investment. Under the theme of "Strategic Thrust 1", four important outcomes have been tabled: the conclusion of the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga) upgrade, the signing of the Asean-China Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol, the substantial conclusion of the Asean-India Trade in Goods Agreement (Aitiga) review, and the declaration of Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economic cooperation.

Taken together, these achievements underscore Asean's enduring faith in economic integration and connectivity. They also show that Malaysia, under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, is determ...