KUALA LUMPUR: Asean has every reason to be optimistic of its future.
However, each of its governments needs to integrate to realise their potential, said CIMB Group Holdings Chairman Datuk Seri Nazir Razak.
He said the great Asean potential would be driven by four key factors, namely execution within the countries, embracing technology, global reform and geopolitical issues.
“As for execution, each government needs to know where to invest and what to invest in, and need to have proper infrastructure,” he told an interactive session at the two-day World Economic Forum on Asean 2016 which began here today.
Nazir, who was a panelist, also said education was crucial to enhance execution among governments.
“Secondly, we need to embrace the technological revolution as it is important to develop entrepreneurs, and at the same time allow them to challenge each other,” he added.
Thirdly, he urged Asean countries to focus on restructuring the region economically, and make changes that will have a good impact on the trading bloc.
He cited the fourth key factor to drive Asean countries towards the Asean Economic Community (AEC), as geopolitical push.
He said under the AEC Blueprint 2025, more commitment should come from the private sector, towards making the region successful.
The AEC Blueprint 2025 was adopted by Asean leaders, to provide broad directions through strategic measures for the AEC from 2016 to 2025.
It is aimed at achieving the vision of having an AEC by 2025 that is highly integrated and cohesive, competitive, innovative and dynamic, with enhanced connectivity and sectoral cooperation, and a more resilient, inclusive, people-oriented, people-centered community, integrated with the global economy.--BERNAMA