From Nor Baizura Basri
GYEONGJU (South Korea), Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) foreign and trade ministers are set to deliberate on geopolitical and trade issues and directions ahead of the leaders’ meet tomorrow, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, at the coastal city here.
Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz, already in Gyeongju, will represent Malaysia at the ministerial-level meetings.
Mohamad Hasan is expected to deliver Malaysia's intervention at the 36th APEC Ministerial Meeting.
Tapping on the success momentum of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, which just ended on Tuesday in Kuala Lumpur, the two ministers are expected to reinforce Malaysia’s active and ongoing efforts in reshaping the regional agenda while aligning with national economic priorities.
Malaysia continues to embrace APEC as a vital platform for collective action and shared progress.
"Guided by our conviction and the MADANI principles, this delegation remains firmly committed to a fair, transparent, rules-based multilateral trading system. Our agenda is anchored in sustainable growth, powered by digital transformation, regional cooperation and inclusive deployment," Tengku Zafrul said on Wednesday.
The highlight of the 21-member economies forum in South Korea is the much-anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping — their first encounter in Trump’s second term. Their last meeting took place at the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, in June 2019.
The reciprocal tariff issue between the two economic giants is expected to be the main agenda.
Trump, on his final leg of his Asian tour, had earlier signed a trade deal with Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan and South Korea.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, may meet Trump again following their cordial engagement in Kuala Lumpur during the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings.
The Prime Minister, who is leading the Malaysian delegation, is expected to arrive today and is scheduled to attend the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting (AELM).
On the sidelines, he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts, have one-on-one discussions with key business leaders as part of Malaysia's strategy to strengthen its position in trade, investment, artificial intelligence (AI) innovation and sustainable energy development.
Malaysia is a founding member of APEC, an intergovernmental forum comprising 21 economies.
Collectively, APEC economies contribute approximately 61 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP) and 46 per cent of world trade, underscoring their pivotal role in driving international economic growth and integration.
With a population exceeding three billion, the APEC region continues to serve as a key engine of global development and is projected to expand by 2.9 per cent in 2026, reflecting its resilience and enduring economic potential.
-- BERNAMA
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