Malaysia invests in workforce, talents to remain competitive
Malaysia's workforce and talents must be encouraged and inspired to make lifelong learning and continuous personal development a priority for the country to remain strong and competitive in the future, said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
Malaysian King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at NHCCE 2023 (Photo: The Star)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia's workforce and talentsmust be encouraged and inspired to make lifelong learning and continuouspersonal development a priority for the country to remain strong andcompetitive in the future, said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-SultanAbdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
Addressing the launch of the 2023 NationalHuman Capital Conference and Exhibition (NHCCE), the King said it is imperative for thegovernment and industry players to work together to expand learning anddevelopment opportunities for the people.
He said efforts by the Human Resources Ministry and Human ResourcesDevelopment Corporation (HRD Corp) are crucial in helping the country achieveits aim to continue growth and recovery momentum by creating the rightpolicies and ensuring the delivery of a structured mechanism for training andtraining funds.
Southeast Asia's annual growth rate is outpacing global averagesand one of the reasons for the region's accelerated rise is its large share ofthe world's diverse and young workers, most of whom are under the age of 30, he said.
🉐 NHCCE, thelargest human capital conference and exhibition in SoutheastAsia attracted some 4,000 participants, is running over two days./.
The partnership between the US jet maker Boeing and the National Aerospace Industry Corporation Malaysia has been elevated to a new high as both sides co-organised the Boeing – Naico Aerospace Supply Chain Forum in Kuala Lumpur on October 10.
The clarity of policies including for the Madani economy framework that anchor the comprehensive restructuring of the Malaysian economy, the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030) can help in attracting investments and strengthening the value of the ringgit (MYR), Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said at the Dewan Rakyat (lower house) on October 10.
Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow 4.3% in 2024, up from the 4% growth expected for 2023. This will mainly be driven by higher global export demand, particularly from the technology sector, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said priority must be given to ensuring good governance before considering new types of taxation.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysian King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at NHCCE 2023 (Photo: The Star) 
