Desaru: The End-Term Review of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025 was among the key topics discussed during the 47th High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI) meeting, according to Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Secretary-General Datuk Hairil Yahri Yaacob.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the HLTF-EI examined draft reports on both the End-Term Review and the Outcomes and Impact Study of the AEC Blueprint 2025. Datuk Hairil emphasized that the meeting reached significant agreements, including ensuring the factual accuracy of the reports through a thorough review by the ASEAN Secretariat. The reports are expected to be finalized intersessionally by April 2025 and submitted to the AEC Council for notation in May 2025.
"The End-Term Review of the AEC Blueprint 2025 is not just a reflection of our achievements but also a foundation for the next phase of ASEAN economic integration. It's about learning, adapting, and innovating for the future," Datuk Hairil stated. He made these remarks after hosting the welcoming dinner for the 47th Meeting of HLTF-EI in Desaru.
Updating on the Compliance Monitoring of the AEC Blueprint 2025, Datuk Hairil noted that the HLTF-EI assessed the progress of its implementation and encouraged sectoral bodies to complete their activities within the year. Key decisions from the meeting included recommending that the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) and AEC Council instruct sectoral bodies and the ASEAN Secretariat to update Results Matrices, including spillover measures extending into 2026. Additionally, the ASEAN Secretariat is tasked with providing the latest status updates ahead of the 28th AEC Council Meeting in November 2025.
"The AEC Blueprint 2025 is our roadmap to a fully integrated economic community. Compliance monitoring ensures we stay on track, delivering measurable outcomes that benefit all ASEAN citizens," Datuk Hairil said.
He further remarked that the 47th HLTF-EI Meeting showcases ASEAN's collective commitment to economic resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity. "As Malaysia takes the helm of the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, the outcomes of this meeting will shape the region's economic trajectory, ensuring ASEAN remains a global economic powerhouse," he added.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, the Preparatory Senior Economic Officials' Meeting (Prep-SEOM) for the 31st AEM Retreat is scheduled for February 26 and 27. The ASEAN Economic Ministers are set to attend a retreat, which will be chaired by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, on February 28.