{
  "id": 14873995,
  "title": "Tengku Zafrul urges closer Asean ties to overcome trade barriers at aseanX launch",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/tengku-zafrul-urges-closer-asean-ties-to-overcome-trade-barriers-at",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T05:08:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2026/10/16/tengku-zafrul-urges-closer-asean-ties-to-overcome-trade-barriers-at-aseanx-launch/239314"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, October 16 — Malaysian Investment Development Authority chairman Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz praised aseanX, a private information platform, as a potentially crucial instrument for deeper regional integration during its launch. He noted that the platform could help bridge information gaps for policymakers and businesses seeking to expand across Southeast Asia, where regulatory barriers continue to impede more open trade. \"I believe that sharing evidence-based information widely among policymakers, businesses and communities enables better-informed decisions, so I hope aseanX can play that role,\" he stated during the launch of aseanX's main office at Menara Eco on Jalan Pudu. Tengku Zafrul recognized that Southeast Asia's future in the coming decade will be shaped by transitions requiring nations to act collectively. While acknowledging the need to safeguard national interests, he expressed confidence that greater regional cooperation would strengthen collaboration between Southeast Asian countries. Tan Sri Mohamed Nazir Razak, a corporate figure with experience in various Asean business and economic forums, attended the launch. aseanX describes itself as a \"regional community enterprise working to bridge Southeast Asia’s information divide by bringing together local businesses, thought leaders and policymakers across all eleven markets.\"",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz today hailed private information platform aseanX as a p...",
  "key_points": [
    "Malaysian Investment Development Authority chairman Tengku Zafrul praises aseanX platform.",
    "aseanX aims to bridge information gaps for regional policymakers and businesses.",
    "Tengku Zafrul optimistic about greater regional cooperation to overcome trade barriers."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The launch of aseanX signals a move toward using private information platforms to bridge regulatory gaps and foster the collective decision-making necessary for deeper Southeast Asian economic integration.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}