Welcome Note by
ABM Chairman,
YBhg Dato' Khairussaleh Ramli
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
The Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) is proud and privileged to host the 52nd ASEAN Banking Council Meeting from 4 to 5 December 2024 at Le Meridien Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. On behalf of ABM and its Council, it gives me great pleasure to invite all our honoured guests and members to this annual landmark event.
This year's event takes place in the context of growing uncertainties and challenging times, especially on global trade repositioning and de-risking, geopolitical tensions and urgent issues surrounding climate change. While we continue to navigate through these uncertainties, I am however optimistic that ASEAN as an economic bloc will rise above these challenges. The region is blessed with vibrant intra-ASEAN growth, increased economic opportunities following the diversion of trade supply chain to this region, favourable demographics as well as our growing ASEAN digital economy, which is expected to triple to some USD1 trillion by 2030 based on recent expert studies.
Read More...This Council Meeting will be an excellent opportunity to reconnect with senior leaders of banks in the ASEAN region as well as to strengthen the collaboration and sharing within National Banking Associations and member Banks. We trust that our ASEAN banks will exchange best practices and progressively build up financial and social infrastructure conducive for enhancing financial inclusion and innovation, promoting business growth as well as managing sustainability in the region.
I am pleased to also announce that The Honourable Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Minister of Finance II, His Excellency Datuk Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and His Excellency Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary General of ASEAN, are expected to grace the occasion.
In addition to the main activities of the Permanent Committees, we are including a curated panel discussion on "Sustainable Finance - The Time is Now", prior to the Council Meeting. We have also designed side activities for delegates to experience the rich and unique Malaysian culture, local cuisines, visit historical and bucket list sites which have been much talked about Malaysia, being Truly Asia.
We believe this year's event will continue to strengthen cooperation and the exchange of experiences and ideas amongst ASEAN banking leaders and subject matter experts in this integrated digital world. We look forward to welcoming you in person to attend the Council Meeting this December in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Dato' Khairussaleh Ramli
Chairman, The Association of Banks in Malaysia
Message from
ABM Executive Director,
Dr Amina Josetta Kayani
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
It is with great anticipation and warm hearts that our team at The Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) looks forward to welcoming you to Kuala Lumpur for the 52nd ASEAN Banking Council Meeting, taking place on 4-5 December 2024. As your hosts, we are deeply honored to extend our "Selamat Datang", as you arrive in our beautiful country. We are committed to ensuring that your time here will be as enriching and memorable as the meeting itself.
Malaysia, often described as a microcosm of Asia, boasts a rich tapestry of cultures, religions, languages, and traditions, woven together from the diverse ethnicities across the Peninsula, Sabah, and Sarawak. This vibrant plural society is not just our heritage; it is our strength. The iconic phrase 'Malaysia Truly Asia' captures the essence of our nation - a place where diversity thrives in harmony, creating a unique environment of mutual respect and shared values. It is in this spirit of unity and warmth that we are privileged to host this prestigious gathering of ASEAN's banking leaders.
Read More...Hosting the ASEAN Banking Council Meeting in Kuala Lumpur is a significant honor for us, especially as we celebrate ABM's 50th Anniversary this year. This milestone is a testament to the enduring strength and resilience of Malaysia's banking industry, and we are proud to share this moment with esteemed colleagues from across the ASEAN region. We are also delighted to recognize the important anniversaries of our peers—the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) celebrating 75 years, and both the Vietnam Banks Association (VNBA) and The Association of Banks in Cambodia (ABC) marking 30 years of service. Our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for continued success go out to BAP, VNBA, and ABC.
In the true spirit of ASEAN's ONE Vision, ONE Identity, and ONE Community, we at ABM are committed to ensuring that this year's meeting will be a dynamic and forward-looking event, fostering collaboration, innovation, and the exchange of ideas that will benefit all our nations. This gathering is not just an opportunity to reconnect with senior banking leaders; it is a platform for us to reaffirm our shared commitment to the future of ASEAN's financial landscape.
As our Chairman, Dato' Khairussaleh Ramli, has eloquently noted, the 52nd ASEAN Banking Council Meeting offers a unique chance to strengthen the bonds between our National Banking Associations and member banks. We are confident that this year's event will not only reinforce these connections but also set the stage for greater cooperation and shared success in our increasingly interconnected digital world.
As Malaysia prepares to take over ASEAN's chairmanship in 2025, our leadership is poised to drive regional integration and address global challenges. The ASEAN Banking Council Meeting in Kuala Lumpur will be a pivotal step towards strengthening mutual trust and advancing our shared goals.
Once again, we are truly excited to welcome you to Kuala Lumpur this December. It is our sincere hope that you will experience not only the professional value of the meetings but also the warmth and hospitality that Malaysia is renowned for.
With warmest regards,
Dr Amina Josetta Kayani
Executive Director, The Association of Banks in Malaysia