Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister and Chair of the Southeast Asian bloc, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has directed the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) to submit concrete proposals to boost intra-ASEAN trade, which currently accounts for only about 20 per cent of the grouping's total trade.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar noted that his counterparts had expressed a shared desire to unlock the region's full economic potential, underscoring the opportunity to significantly expand intra-ASEAN trade. He emphasized the need for specific proposals that would encourage policymakers to adopt recommendations to enhance trade and investment within the region.

Anwar stated, "Proposals have been made by Presidents and Prime Ministers, and there is actually no reason why the extent of our inter-ASEAN trade and investments is still limited at this stage, as the potential is enormous. So please come up with some very specific proposals on how we can compel policymakers to accept some recommendations," during his opening remarks at the ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC).

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, highlighted that the ASEAN-BAC would be present at all ASEAN meetings as a standard procedure to express their views and provide suggestions. The call for action comes amid a gathering of key regional leaders, including Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet, and others.

Also in attendance were Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, as an observer, and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn. This year marks Malaysia's fifth time chairing the regional bloc, aiming to further drive regional cooperation.

In conjunction with the summit, two pivotal high-level engagements - the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit - will also be convened, serving as strategic platforms to advance regional and inter-regional cooperation.