US-ASEAN Business Council Deepens Digital and Economic Cooperation Through Key Initiatives at ABIS 2025
On the margins of the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), in partnership with the U.S. Mission to ASEAN and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Secretariat, co-organized the “U.S.-ASEAN Connect Series: A Strategic Dialogue on Securing the Digital Economy and Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience.”
The event served as a platform to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors in shaping a secure, innovative, and resilient regional digital economy. Bringing together over 70 participants of senior representatives from leading private sector, government agencies, the ASEAN Secretariat, and associations, the dialogue explored opportunities to deepen U.S.-ASEAN cooperation in advancing the digital economy and supply chain resilience.
Speakers from Meta, Mastercard and Amazon Web Services (AWS) shared perspectives on cross-border data flows, digital infrastructure, e-payment systems, and efforts to address online scams, while emphasizing the importance of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) in driving regional innovation and inclusive growth.
“Our dialogue today provides an opportunity to discuss how the United States and ASEAN can collaborate more effectively to strengthen the foundations of a secure digital economy and a resilient supply chain network, while gathering valuable insights from U.S. private sector leaders in this space.” said Ambassador Brian McFeeters, Interim President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council. Echoing this, Dr. Rafael Frankel, Director of Public Policy for Southeast and South Asia at Meta, highlighted, “Southeast Asia’s digital landscape is rapidly evolving, and Meta is proud to be at the forefront of this journey. Through strategic partnerships with governments, investments in infrastructure, and a focus on innovation, we are working to build a digital ecosystem that is not only advanced but also safe and inclusive.”
Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, reaffirmed that ASEAN stands ready to work with U.S. partners, including the business community, to build a more digital, secure, and inclusive regional economy.
Underscoring the United States’ broader commitment to innovation and economic progress, Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and Environment Jacob Helberg remarked, “From peace deals to trade deals, America is leading the global economy through technological changes unseen since the first Industrial Revolution.” Chargé d’Affaires Joy M. Sakurai of the U.S. Mission to ASEAN added, “ASEAN matters—not just as a vital economic partner, but as a dynamic force shaping the future of global innovation, trade, and security. The United States is proud to be part of that future, with over 6,000 U.S. companies active in the region and ASEAN as our fourth-largest export market supporting more than 625,000 American jobs.”
The event concluded with the launch of the 7th edition of ASEAN Matters for America, America Matters for ASEAN, underscoring the shared commitment to deepen public-private collaboration in building a secure, resilient, and inclusive U.S.-ASEAN economic partnership.
Ahead of the dialogue, the USABC hosted a Roundtable Discussion with U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan, providing an opportunity to exchange views on strengthening U.S.-ASEAN cooperation in the digital economy, resilient supply chains, and sustainable regional growth.