PUTRAJAYA, May 23, 2025 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hosted a senior delegation from the US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) Thursday, reaffirming Malaysia’s standing as a top-tier investment destination in ASEAN.
The delegation, led by Brian D. McFeeters, Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of US-ABC, included executives from major US multinational companies operating across Southeast Asia.
The meeting comes a year after a similar engagement between Anwar and US-ABC members in 2024 — and according to the Prime Minister, the continuity has yielded tangible results.
“Several companies gave positive feedback following our previous meeting last year,” Anwar shared. “We managed to resolve several issues and fostered new partnerships as a result.”
From Commitments to Execution
Beyond acknowledging the Council’s continued investment interest, Anwar stressed the need for Malaysia to strengthen its policy frameworks and execution mechanisms to better support the private sector — especially in key areas such as regulatory clarity, skilled labour development, and capital accessibility.
“We also exchanged ideas on how to strengthen the growth of key industries — including through policy, skills development, and access to capital,” he wrote.
He noted that the government’s role is not just to legislate, but to stay engaged with stakeholders to ensure policies deliver the desired economic impact.
“It is vital that the government continues these engagements to ensure our policies are implemented in ways that achieve our shared objectives,” Anwar emphasized.
Backing Malaysia’s Vision
The US-ASEAN Business Council — a non-profit body focused on advancing American corporate engagement across Southeast Asia — praised Malaysia’s economic reforms and policy direction under the Unity Government. Its members, representing industries from technology to healthcare and energy, reaffirmed their long-term commitment to Malaysia.
Anwar’s administration has repeatedly positioned public-private collaboration as a cornerstone of its national development strategy under the Madani Economy framework. The latest engagement with US-ABC is part of Malaysia’s broader goal to strengthen industrial capacity while maintaining a competitive edge in the region.
Positioning Malaysia in ASEAN and Beyond
As ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia plays a pivotal role in regional economic cooperation. Meetings such as this signal to investors that Malaysia is open to business, willing to listen, and serious about delivery.
With global companies looking to diversify their supply chains and digital capabilities, Malaysia’s push to offer stability, talent, and infrastructure has become a key draw — one that Anwar is keen to consolidate through policy-industry synergy.
-TNS News