On 4 August 2025, Malaysia joined fellow ASEAN countries Indonesia, Thailand, Viet Nam, the Philippines and Singapore in the ASEAN Business Forum 2025 held in Dubai, UAE. Organized by the Embassy of Indonesia in collaboration with the Indonesia Business Council (IdBC) and supported by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the forum brought together ASEAN Ambassadors, including Malaysia’s H.E. Tengku Dato' Sirajuzzaman Tengku Mohamed Ariffin, as well as business leaders from across the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
From Malaysia’s perspective, one of the key challenges for ASEAN businesses is understanding the UAE market, particularly its business environment, rules and regulations. While platforms such as the Dubai Chambers provide important facilitation, respective Trade Offices and Business Councils of ASEAN member states will be essential in supporting their companies to navigate opportunities more effectively and strengthen their presence in the region.
The forum further underlined ASEAN’s strength as a strategic hub connecting Asia-Pacific with global markets, offering significant opportunities for trade and investment with the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). For Malaysia and its ASEAN partners, the forum reinforced the importance of collaboration in enhancing economic resilience, supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and ensuring the region remains dynamic and competitive amid global trade challenges.
