Govt to decide on Apec attendance within 2 days

Putrajaya will decide within the next two days on the country’s participation in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders' Week 2023.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he’s coordinating with all Apec member countries on the matter.

“So far, most (of the countries) are attending. So I will check on this (matter) in one or two days,” he told reporters after officiating the launch of the Malaysia Digital Expo (MDX) 2023 Grand Finale in Kuala Lumpur today.

Apec is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific.

This year’s meeting will convene in San Francisco, California from Nov 11 to 17.

The 21 Apec member economies account for nearly 40 percent of the global population, nearly 50 percent of global trade, and more than 60 pe cent of US goods exports.

The 21 include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taipei, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.

Digital economy

In his speech, Anwar reiterated that digital transformation is the key strategy to ensure Malaysia emerges as a successful nation.

“Our digital economy stands as one of Malaysia's key economic pillars, contributing a substantial 23.2 percent to our nation's gross domestic product (GDP).

“We project that this figure will soar to 25.5 percent (of the GDP) by 2025,” the finance minister said.

Anwar added that in the third quarter of 2022 alone, the digital economy garnered US$15.7 billion (RM73 billion) in investments, solidifying its status as one of the fastest-growing sectors.

- Bernama

Boycott Apec? Too early for govt to decide - Anwar

Machang MP wants M'sia to boycott Apec meeting, protest US

Anwar to attend Apec meet in November

COMMENT | Reading the Xi leaves: Uncertain Biden Apec meet