Malaysia’s “Look East Policy”, which has helped Malaysia’s industrial development programme over three decades was given recognition at the 6th Asian Business Summit held in Tokyo, Japan on 12th and 13th July 2015.  “This is a tribute to Malaysia and is being looked at as a model for some Asian countries,” said Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal Rawther, Vice-President of MAJECA – Malaysia-Japan Economic Association and Director of the Look East Policy Centre, Malaysia.  Datuk Seri Iqbal was Malaysia’s representative to the 6th Asian Business Summit, which was attended by fourteen Economic and Business Federations from twelve countries.  The Summit was hosted by KEIDANREN, the Federation of Corporate Executives of Japan.

The Summit addressed some of the key challenges faced by Asian economies and how businesses should position to face the global volatilities as well as take advantage of the rising importance and influence of Asia on the world arena.

Regional integration issues, especially the prospect of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) initiatives were discussed. Infrastructure development prerogatives and the financing of large-scale projects for transportation and port facilities for increasing trade flows between countries within Asia and linkages to the rest of the world, were given special focus.

The outcome of the Summit and the recommendations, endorsed by the delegates, were contained in a Joint Statement presented by the Chairman of KEIDANREN, Dr. Sadayuki Sakakibara to the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Shinzo Abe, at the Special Session of the Summit.

(Note: Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal Rawther with the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Shinzo Abe at the Special Session of the 6th Asian Business Summit on 13 July 2015 in Tokyo. Photo courtesy of KEIDANREN)