Collaboration with the BRICS bloc presents significant economic opportunities for member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz.
"When we examine cooperation with BRICS nations in e-commerce, we see that financial technology and digital innovation can pave the way for strengthening trade initiatives between ASEAN and BRICS countries," the Bernama news agency quoted the minister as saying.
Tengku Zafrul highlighted that Malaysia, as ASEAN’s chair in 2025, is well-positioned to foster stronger partnerships with BRICS nations. "The value chain in Malaysia and ASEAN can be enhanced through collaboration with BRICS countries," he added.
On November 15, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin announced that Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand had officially become BRICS partners.
ASEAN, established in 1967, currently includes ten Southeast Asian nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Leadership of ASEAN rotates annually among its members, with Laos assuming the chairmanship in early 2024 and transferring it to Malaysia on January 1, 2025.
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Based on TASS materials