Asean Needs South Korea As Strategic Partner, Says Najib

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has asked South Korea to remain as Asean’s strategic partner in working towards a dynamic grouping for Asia and for the world, The Star Online reported.

 

South Korea and Asean were engaged in at least four frameworks namely the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation, Asean Plus Three Cooperation, East Asia Summit and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

“The RCEP brings life to the concept of the pivot towards Asia. The 10 Asean member states together with the six partners, contribute almost 30% of world trade. 

By the middle of this century, that figure could rise to 50%,” he said at the closing of the Asean-South Korea CEO Summit.

Najib arrived in Busan on Thursday for a two-day visit to attend the Asean-South Korea Commemorative Summit after ending his three-day official visit to Seoul.

The Prime Minister said deeper economic integration through the RCEP could bring significant opportunities for the region’s economies.

Najib said Korean enterprises continued to contribute to the economic advancement of Asean, driving development by supporting fast-growing businesses and investing in the future of the dynamic region.