Malaysia keen on strengthen ties with Japan under Look East Policy
Malaysia wishes to explore new cooperation related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) with Japan under the Look East Policy (LEP), according to Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaako. (Photo: VNA)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia wishes to explorenew cooperation related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) withJapan under the Look East Policy (LEP), according to Prime Minister IsmailSabri Yaakob.
The Malaysian government adopted LEP in 1982, and targetedsocial and economic development in the country through learning from Japan.
The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report (WEF) 2022noted that issues such as climate change, social impact due to aging populationand social polarisation after the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to seriouslyimpact the economy and livelihood of most countries in the next 10 years, hesaid in his keynote address at an event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the LEP.
He urged that new areas of cooperation related to the ESG can beexplored by both countries through projects and programmes implemented under LEP.
This includes diversifying cooperation in the field ofdisaster crisis, aging society, digital economy, science, technology andinnovation as well as green growth,
Ismail Sabri said four decades of successful cooperationbetween Malaysia and Japan are now centred on new areas in line with thetechnological revolution that brought changes to the industrial and globaleconomic landscape.
The premier said cooperation in fields such as artificialintelligence, robotics, autonomous systems, and the Internet of Things (IoT) inwhich Japan has high expertise needs to be improved.
He said he hopes the Japanese government will provide continuoussupport to encourage more cooperation in the field through the implementationof joint venture projects under LEP.
Ismail said as a pioneer in the global halal industry, Malaysiacan help Japan develop their halal industry.
He also suggested that both countries explore cooperation toresolve problems related to supply chains, adding that during a meeting withJapanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in May, he called for regional supplychains to be strengthened with supporting investment in digital infrastructure.
He said simplifying capacity development would strengthenthe resilience of local supply chains./.
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The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaako. (Photo: VNA) 
