Policy makers debate key issues at the ACCA President’s Debate 2016, held in Malaysia

Policy makers from the European Union and Malaysian Government will address and debate the challenges ahead for the newly formed ASEAN Economic Community at the first ACCA President’s debate to be held outside of the EU, in Kuala Lumpur on the 6 April 2016.

Titled “Will fitting the EU’s teeth give ASEAN’s Economic Community the bite it is lacking?” the speakers will be:

·         YB Senator Dato’ Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Malaysia

·         Mr Jayant Menon, ADB Lead Economist

·         Dr Steven Everts, Senior Adviser on EU-ASEAN and ARF Alternate Senior Official (SOM) Asia Pacific Department, European External Action Service

·         Dr Fraser Cameron, Director of the EU-Asia Centre

Datuk Alexandra Chin, ACCA President, will be hosting the event, and says: “This is a first for ACCA, bringing our regular President’s Debate out of Europe and onto the global stage. In previous years, ACCA has held regular President’s Debates in Europe, with each event aligned with the European Presidency which rotates every six months around EU member countries.

“Given the interest I have in the AEC, we wanted to link the work of the AEC and the EU. Our theme will focus on the challenges for both communities, and whether the AEC can learn from the European project, with its seeds of economic co-operation sown after the Second World War.”

Soo Yee Leong, Director Asia Pac at ACCA, says: “This promises to be an insightful session, with a debate that I am sure will spark ideas and key learning for all those attending. We expect this debate to generate awareness and reflections on the ASEAN model by contrasting it with the EU model - perhaps identify the roadblocks to true ASEAN integration in order to remove or mitigate them.”

To attend the event, please contact:

Ms. Pui Nyinn at +603 2182 3607 or email mycpd@accaglobal.com