I am delighted to address the Malaysia-Laos Conference through video conferencing. The conference is themed “Bridging Cultures, Building Bridges: Malaysian diaspora and Business in Laos” and is held at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Vientiane, Laos PDR.
I visited Luang Prabang in March to attend the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat and subsequently visited Vientiane in May.
During my two visits, I had candid and productive discussions with Minister Malaithong Kommasith and Vice Minister Manothong Vongsay from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
In August, Vice Minister Manothong Vongsay visited Kuala Lumpur and Melaka. During his trip, we established the Malaysia-Laos Economic Cooperation Scholarship, supported by contributions from six private higher education institutions, namely UCSI University, Monash University Malaysia, Inti International University, Sunway University, and HELP University.
The Malaysia-Laos Economic Cooperation Scholarship is designed to strengthen the economic ties between Malaysia and Laos by offering Laotian students the opportunity to pursue studies in economic-related fields at Malaysian universities. It aims to enhance the educational and professional capabilities of students from Laos, foster mutual economic growth and understanding between the two countries, enhance educational ties, and promote regional economic development.
The scholarship will allow eligible Laos students to study an economy-related field in Malaysia. A total of 12 scholarships are offered to eligible Laos students.
For ASEAN to grow stronger especially in the context of a more volatile world, each of ASEAN economies should not only vertically integrated with the global supply chain but also horizontally integrated across ASEAN. More collaborations between Malaysia and Laos are both necessary and good to make ASEAN stronger and more resilient.
In August, I met with 10 students from Laos during the Malaysian Technical Corporation Programme conducted by the Halal Development Corporation in Kuala Lumpur and had the opportunity to visit SIRIM.
Today’s program continues the collaboration between Malaysia and Laos in the halal industry, which was first suggested by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his inauguration visit to Laos in 2023. This event features JAKIM and SIRIM, initiated by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to integrate Laos into the halal supply chain with support from Malaysia.
Now is also the time for us to introduce Laos to Malaysian businesses to encourage more involvement in investing in Laos. Additionally, with Malaysia chairing ASEAN next year, topics such as the ASEAN Power Grid and renewable green energy should also be included on the agenda. This would help us build stronger ties. I firmly believe that ASEAN can only grow if we grow together with our neighbours.
I thank Vice Minister Manothong Vongsay for chairing today’s meeting and the Ambassador of Malaysia to Laos H.E. Edi Irwan Mahmud for hosting the event.