Malaysia’s ASEAN Сhairmanship in 2025 set to boost regional integration and digital trade

Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025 is expected to significantly influence the region’s development trajectory, with a focus on both visionary goals and concrete initiatives. This was stated by Tan Sri Nazir Razak, Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council in an exclusive interview at the TV BRICS studio in the Roscongress International Cooperation Area at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum ( SPIEF) 2025.

Tan Sri Nazir Razak said that ASEAN has already launched the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and a strategic development plan for the next five years – steps which he sees as essential for aligning long-term objectives with actionable measures.

“We have a five-year plan, but also within that there are specific targets for this year alone,” he said, listing initiatives such as the upgrade of ATIGA (ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement) and the Digital Economic Framework Agreement – the first international legally binding agreement for digital business across the region.

Commenting on relations with Russia, Razak emphasised the long-standing diplomatic ties between the two countries, which began in 1967. He noted that the Malaysian Prime Minister has visited Russia twice, and that recent visits have resulted in positive developments.

Razak stressed the importance of deepening business ties through practical engagement and detailed understanding of how trade operates under current global conditions. “We need to increase trade between Malaysia and Russia as well as to increase investments both ways,” he stated.