Malaysia Formulating Blue Economy Blueprint Under 13th Malaysia Plan - Hanifah Hajar

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is formulating the Malaysia Blue Economy Blueprint, a comprehensive framework to harmonise policies, strategies and investments across sectors linked to oceans and coasts.

Deputy Minister of Economy Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said the 13th Malaysia Plan, the five-year national development plan recently tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, recognises the Blue Economy as a national priority and outlines a holistic approach to unlock its potential.

She said the initiatives include strengthening governance of coastal and marine areas, enhancing strategic industries such as aquaculture, green shipping and renewable ocean energy, and preserving  biodiversity through marine protected areas and community-based coastal management.

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“We hope this blueprint will also contribute to ASEAN’s collective aspirations, serving as a model for national-level implementation that complements the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework,” she said in her keynote address at the 3rd ASEAN Blue Economy Forum at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here today.

The one-day forum, themed “Invigoration of Blue Economy”, brought together policymakers, senior officials, experts, industry leaders, academics and civil society representatives from across ASEAN member states.

Hanifah Hajar said the gathering provides ASEAN with a platform to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships and chart collaborative pathways to ensure the Blue Economy contributes meaningfully to sustainable growth across the region.

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She highlighted that the potential of the Blue Economy is immense, spanning sustainable marine tourism and aquaculture, renewable ocean energy, and greener, more efficient maritime logistics.

“If developed sustainably, these opportunities can unlock new engines of growth for our economies and deliver lasting benefits for our people. Advancing the Blue Economy will secure both environmental protection and shared prosperity,” she said.

She noted that strengthening the Blue Economy also offers opportunities to narrow development gaps and promote inclusivity, as many of ASEAN’s coastal and island communities depend heavily on the ocean.

Through sustainable fisheries, eco-tourism, community-led management and skills development, Blue Economy initiatives can uplift local communities, empower small businesses and foster more equitable growth, she added.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued here, the deputy minister stressed that Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair this year, will continue to advance the Blue Economy as a defining pillar of regional cooperation.

She underlined that only through closer collaboration can ASEAN unlock the full potential of its seas, coastal and marine ecosystems, as well as inland freshwater resources, to drive inclusive and sustainable growth.

The forum's discussions focused on blue financing and investment, science and technology innovation, workforce development and the importance of stronger ASEAN partnerships.

“The Ministry of Economy reaffirmed Malaysia’s readiness to work with all ASEAN partners to foster collaboration, turn dialogue into action and advance the shared vision of a resilient, inclusive and sustainable Blue Economy for current and future generations,” the statement said.

-- BERNAMA