Singapore, Nov 13 (Prensa Latina) The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, asserted this Tuesday that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) must boost internal trade in the region in order to facilitate more opportunities for its companies. Mahathir warned that increasing trade among the countries of the region is far from meaning that the Asean looks only inward, but will open opportunities for small and medium enterprises.
The 93 years old leader noted that the region needs direct foreign investments to create quality jobs but without been simple consumers of foreign good and services.
The 93-year-old president said the region needs direct foreign investment to create quality jobs, but not just consumers of foreign goods and services.
He also referred to the increase in trade protectionism so he called for active involvement in the search for friendly solutions through multilateral talks.
The thirty-third Asean summit opened on Tuesday and will last until next Thursday, when Singapore will hand over the bloc's presidency to Thailand for next year.