Kuala Lumpur, 31 July 2026 – Malaysia has called for stronger ASEAN integration to improve manufacturing competitiveness, arguing that Southeast Asia must operate more effectively as a connected production base as supply chains fragment and investment competition intensifies. The objective is broader than reducing tariffs; it requires faster borders, compatible rules, reliable infrastructure and more fluid movement of skilled talent.
Malaysia’s manufacturing sector is closely tied to regional and global value chains. The central bank has said that more than half of the country’s exports are linked to global value chains, making regional efficiency material to factory utilisation, working capital and delivery performance.
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