KUALA LUMPUR — With 65 percent of the ASEAN population dominated by the young, aged below 35 years old, there is a call to engage them in developing a bold and strong region in establishing the Asean Economic Community (AEC) by year-end, Bernama news said. Binary University Executive Chairman Datuk Professor Joseph Adaikalam said social media usage would be a good platform to engage with this specific segment to connect and create awareness, as well as, generate opportunities in Asean pillars. “The advent of technology such as the Internet will provide an opportunity to enhance awareness among the business community and manage perception of Asean as a whole,” he told reporters after the opening of 47th Asean Economic Ministers' (AEM) and Related Meetings here Saturday. Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed stressed the important role of youths and that they should be given the opportunity to thrive in a competitive global environment. “In the end, economic integration only has meaning if it leads to equitable and inclusive growth which provides meaningful opportunities for our growing young population,” Mustapa said. On the perception of Asean, which posed challenges to member states especially in regards to complex issues, Joseph said the regional government was managing it very well by having the AEM and related meetings which also included representation from the grass root level. An example of a true Asean identity, Director of Dale Lokman Associates Datuk Mahadzir Lokman said the younger generation from should work hand-in-hand with all other nine countries together with the Asean secretariat to achieve the ASEAN theme, ‘Our People, Our Community, Our Vision.' Mahadzir, who was the master of ceremonies for the official opening this morning, welcomed the 500 over delegates in several Asean languages. “This really shows no interference of the Asean community and most of all it is so important that we will continue to strive to make this a reality not just a dream. “So I feel that the people of Asean, with more than 600 million, need to work together to build the region as one big nation,” he added. Representing the business sector, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Kuala Lumpur commercial counselor, Khalid S. Halawani said the Asean Economic Community would intensify economic activities in the region thus strengthening its economies. “Once they manage to let down trade barriers and work together, they will be more successful,” he said. On the AEM meeting, Khalid said this was an important meeting to intensify cooperation between Asean and other countries including Saudi Arabia in the areas of trade and investments. — Agencies
