00:00So ladies and gentlemen, this is the fourth time we take on the ASEAN chairmanship.
00:09Our theme this year is inclusivity and sustainability.
00:15So those values will underscore the outcome-driven economic agenda which will be promoted
00:21and will be promoting as well through the ASEAN's economic pillar.
00:26So those values represent the urgent needs of our region, ASEAN.
00:32Some of you may ask, why?
00:34Because if Southeast Asia cannot become more inclusive,
00:39cannot become more sustainable,
00:41other achievements such as economic prosperity and tech innovation may prove to be just empty whims.
00:50So Malaysia is determined to ensure the economic wins of regional integration
00:56that will benefit all, including women, youth and micro, medium and small enterprises, or in short, MSMEs.
01:05All of you sitting here today, I think there are 800 of you sitting here today,
01:10you'll be glad to know that our intention is to promote the greatest participation
01:16from all of you in ASEAN's development next year.
01:20So you can contribute, not only growing Malaysia's economy, but also shaping ASEAN's economic future.
01:29So Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship also comes at a pivotal time for Malaysia.
01:35I say this because in the past two years, since the start of the Madani government,
01:42we have been busy with economic, fiscal and industrial reforms.
01:47Many of these efforts are showing results.
01:50So METI, we have two women direct representatives here,
01:55and for all your information, for the women who are here today,
02:00we just released our sustainability report, 69% KSU.
02:0769% of our top management in METI comprise of women.
02:18So that's why we are able to deliver, I think, a lot of things that my time might not be able to deliver.
02:26Anyway, but on women, METI and its agencies have been actively engaging women entrepreneurs.
02:33We have various programs, various platforms.
02:37And in July this year, METI actually launched our Women in Trade in Industry initiative, WITI.
02:43So with the initiative we launched, and then to boost the capacity of the women in industrial and export sectors,
02:50we've asked all agencies and ministries to have a WITI, a target that involves women as well.
02:58And we aim to help Malaysian female entrepreneurs connect to the regional entrepreneurs,
03:04to the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network.
03:07We call it AWEN, A-W-E-N, not AWEN, A-W-E-N.
03:12So this is actually a regional network of women-based organizations.
03:16So we have representing women in all economic sectors in the ASEAN member states.
03:22So we look forward to our Malaysian women entrepreneurs to participate together with ASEAN women entrepreneurs.
03:29Additionally, one side event you can look forward to is the ASEAN Women Economic Summit 2025,
03:37to be organized by METI and the Women Leadership Forum.
03:41And that's in May 2025, so you can find it in your diary.
03:46And we have another one also.
03:48We have the ASEAN Women Economic Forum in June next year.
04:00Myself and Wai Biliu will be attending this, and for all the women, Wai Biliu is still single.
04:06So we want to ensure that Malaysian women entrepreneurs will have greater access to opportunities,
04:14basically, within Malaysia and, of course, beyond in ASEAN.
04:19So for MSMEs, under the Strategic Trust 2, we have CUSCOR, Ministry of Development and Co-operative Malaysia,
04:27will be likely working on a key initiative for MSMEs' green transition.
04:33So METI will support this as well through our National Industry E&G Framework, which we launched last year,
04:39to guide manufacturing SMEs in producing their first sustainability report.
04:44And in terms of export to ASEAN, MSMEs should take advantage of the various FTAs with ASEAN countries,
04:52as well as ASEAN and other economic regions.
04:56We have the ARCEP, we have, of course, CBTBP, etc.
04:59And our agency, MARTRED, is also here to guide any companies wishing to spread their wings digitally, especially MSMEs.
05:09As for the youth, I mean, most of you are here today, the largest group.
05:13And, of course, today's event is largely about you.
05:18This is your opportunity to connect with like-minded youth and professionals who can assist you to go further,
05:26particularly within ASEAN.
05:29So do volunteer for some of the key ASEAN events that will be staged next year.
05:36This is good for your exposure, good for your networking, to build your career.
05:42So we'll be reaching out to you to see how you can also be part of the ASEAN forums, ASEAN meetings that will be held next year.
05:53So I'm sure the women and the youth present here today have also connected and networked with many companies, especially MSMEs.
06:01And as mentioned, there will be more opportunities next year where all of you can connect.
06:06So this is sort of the kick-off of our ASEAN initiative.
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