OPENING REMARKS : THE TWENTY-EIGHT AEM-ASEAN INVESTMENT AREA (AIA) COUNCIL MEETING (28th AEM-AIA)
23 September 2025
Ballroom, Level 3
Malaysia International Trade and
Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur
OPENING REMARKS
Your Excellencies,
● Malaysia is honoured to host the 28th ASEAN Investment Area (AIA) Council Meeting in MITEC, Kuala Lumpur, to exchange views, strengthen our collaboration, and reaffirm ASEAN’s commitment to positioning the region as a dynamic and attractive investment destination.
● The AIA framework has been instrumental in shaping ASEAN’s journey towards deeper economic integration, by facilitating the seamless flow of investments, enhancing transparency, and promoting a predictable and competitive business environment.
● Today, we meet against the backdrop of a complex global landscape where strategic competition among major powers, coupled with supply chain vulnerabilities and shifting trade patterns, has posed challenges and uncertainties for ASEAN. These developments could affect capital flows, alter investment decisions, and reshape the comparative advantages of our economies.
● Despite the headwinds, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows in ASEAN rose by 9% in 2024 compared to 2023, reaching USD226 billion. The region accounted for a 15% share of global FDI inflows, maintaining its status as the leading recipient among developing regions for the fourth consecutive year.
● Yet, amidst these uncertainties, ASEAN retains its unique strengths, whereby the region continues to attract robust levels of FDI — particularly in sectors such as digitalisation, sustainable energy, high-value manufacturing, and financial services. With a combined market of over 680 million people and a growing middle class, ASEAN remains a key driver of global growth.
● At the same time, intra-ASEAN investment remains modest compared to external inflows. Strengthening intra-regional investment will not only reinforce our supply chain connectivity but also enhance the resilience of our economies against external shocks.
Thank you.
Before we begin with the next agenda item, I would like to invite Esteemed Ministers to come forward for a group photo session.
--BERNAMA