ASEAN-CPTPP Ties Must Deliver Reforms, Not Symbolism – Experts
By Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- The formal dialogue between ASEAN and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) scheduled on Nov 20, 2025, must go beyond symbolic engagement and deliver substantive outcomes.
“Concrete reforms, including standard convergence, supply chain resilience, and micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) capacity building, are vital if ASEAN is to remain central in a rapidly fragmenting global trade order, leading economists and policy,” said Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid.
The chairman of CARI ASEAN Research and Advocacy think tank described the ASEAN–CPTPP dialogue as an excellent move, but cautioned that it must lead to serious, actionable outcomes rather than more high-level rhetoric.
“This includes convergence of standards, such as rules of origin, to facilitate trade across the wider platform.
“Another is to expand the overlap of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)–CPTPP membership, as well as attracting the European Union (EU) to join the expanded trade and investment platform,” he told Bernama.
Munir, who is also the ASEAN Business Club president, said the upcoming ASEAN–CPTPP dialogue should be viewed as a major test of ASEAN centrality amid an increasingly unstable global order.
He added that the appointment of a dedicated task force by ASEAN leaders was necessary to ensure that the objectives are pursued seriously, beyond the limitations of the rotating ASEAN chairmanship.
Sunway University economics professor Dr Yeah Kim Leng said Malaysia stands to gain significantly from deeper CPTPP collaboration, particularly in electrical and electronics, chemicals, medical devices, machinery and other resource-based manufacturing sectors.
“Efforts to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers among CPTPP members will boost demand for Malaysia’s exports.
“This is particularly important under the current global environment of heightened uncertainties and geopolitical tensions,” he said.
Yeah also noted that Malaysia’s participation in multiple trade blocs, namely the CPTPP, the RCEP, and the upcoming Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) -- a comprehensive agreement among ASEAN member countries -- would give it a competitive edge to serve as a regional hub.
“Malaysia is well-positioned to transform itself into a major regional production and trading hub, and also act as a bridge to foster trade among members with less connected markets,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd's chief economist, Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, said the CPTPP could act as a “catalyst” for Malaysian businesses, especially MSMEs, to scale up, but only if real investment is made in capacity building.
“MSMEs make up 96 per cent of businesses in the country. That means that financial literacy, digital savviness, and business planning must become core skills.
“A targeted outreach programme to help businesses understand and utilise the preferential treatment under the CPTPP is also important so that they can access new markets and procure raw materials more cost-effectively,” he said.
The ASEAN–CPTPP dialogue is set to bring together ASEAN’s 10 member states and the 12 members of the CPTPP, including four overlapping countries: Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Brunei.
During a discussion among ministers at the 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) meeting last week, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said ASEAN and CPTPP will hold a formal dialogue on Nov 20 to explore potential areas of collaboration.
He said the formal dialogue will cover some potential areas of collaboration and cooperation.
-- BERNAMA
