​The Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Facilitating the Movement of Essential Goods in APEC to ensure the free movement of essential goods across borders without being subjected to unfair trade measures would lead to a more conducive trade and investment flows within the APEC member countries post the Covid-19 situation. 

MEF President Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman congratulated the government for pioneering the KL Declaration among the APEC economies through an open, vibrant, transparent and sustainable trading systems. 

“The KL Declaration that calls for smooth cross-border movement of essential goods would ensure an unobstructed supply chain within the region,” said Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain.  

“This is important as the economic impact due to Covid-19 pandemic has been severe with many companies and businesses going into distress, or closed shop, not to mention the thousands of employees who had lost their jobs.”  

Dato’ Dr Syed Hussain also commended the government on the adoption of the new APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 that will chart the future of the region as an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040. 

“The Putrajaya Vision would chart the journey towards the prosperity of all of the people and future generations in the Asia Pacific region,” he added. 

Under the theme ‘Optimising Human Potential towards a Resilient Future of Shared Prosperity’, the leaders of 21 countries issued the KL Declaration following the first-ever virtual 27th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting chaired by Malaysia’s Prime Minister YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin. 

Amidst the challenges due to Covid-19 pandemic, APEC’s leaders pledged to work together to support the following priorities:

• Combatting and mitigating the impacts of Covid-19
• Improving the narrative of trade and investment
• Inclusive economic participation through digital economy and technology
• Driving innovative and inclusive sustainability
• Strengthening stakeholder engagement