Asean Should Grab Opportunities Arising From Sluggish Global Economy, Says MITI Sec-Gen

From Zairina Zainudin HANOI, Jan 10 (Bernama) -- Asean must take advantage of the opportunities arising from the sluggish world economy, International Trade and Industry Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria said Tuesday. She said the euro zone debt crisis plaguing european nations should be an advantage for Asean countries to develop their capacity in the region. "If we don't step up our efforts and take advantage of the current situation, we would lag behind. It's important for Asean to seize the opportunities. "There are lots of uncertainties. However, Asean needs to keep focusing on raising domestic consumption, domestic investments, intra-Asean trade and intra-Asean investments," she told reporters on the sidelines of the 11th Hitachi Young Leaders' Initiative. On Malaysia being ranked the 10th most attractive country for foreign direct investments (FDIs), Rebecca said investments in Malaysia would not benefit the country alone but also other Asean countries. "The benefits will just flow because of the Asean integration (in 2015), if Asean nations are not integrated, then there are no benefits. That's how it works," she added. The Hitachi Young Leaders' Initiative is a community relations programme hosted by Hitachi under which four top students from seven Asian countries meet to discuss current and regional issues. -- BERNAMA