MALAYSIA TO FACILITATE TIMOR-LESTE'S ACCESSION TO ASEAN ECONOMIC AGREEMENTS - TENGKU ZAFRUL

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, as the ASEAN chair this year, will facilitate Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN Economic Agreements, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

The minister said that ASEAN looks forward to further indications of Timor-Leste’s readiness to accede to these agreements and stands ready to provide capacity-building support.

He stated that Malaysia is working diligently with ASEAN member states to ensure that all necessary processes and considerations are completed.

As Malaysia continues strengthening its engagement with Timor-Leste, Tengku Zafrul affirmed that the country is prepared to offer support through diplomatic, economic, and trade channels.

“Through the incorporation of Timor-Leste in ASEAN, Malaysia hopes that regional economic growth can be strengthened in an inclusive and sustainable manner and that ASEAN will continue to prosper and eventually become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030,” he said.

Tengku Zafrul made these remarks during his speech at the signing ceremony between Weststar-GAP Aviation LDA and Santos Australia in Timor-Leste today.

He noted that the ceremony not only marks the collaboration between the two companies but also reflects broader regional cooperation among Malaysia, Timor-Leste, and the wider ASEAN region.

The partnership sets the stage for future collaborations in the aviation sector and across industries such as energy, technology, and infrastructure.

“This is exactly the model of inclusive growth reflected in our ASEAN Chairmanship theme: Inclusivity and Sustainability,” he said.

-- BERNAMA