IDFR’s Centre for Political Studies and Economic Diplomacy (PSED) had successfully organised the Economic Diplomacy Course from 6 to 8 March 2024. The three-day course was held physically at the Grand Millennium Hotel, Kuala Lumpur with a total attendance of 18 participants. The participants comprised of officers grade 41 to JUSA C from various ministries and agencies, including the Prime Minister’s Department; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development; Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Ministry of Economy; Ministry of International Trade and Industry; Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation; Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation; Parliament of Malaysia; National Youth Skills Institute Kuala Langat; as well as the State Secretary Offices from Penang, Perak, Perlis, Terengganu, Selangor and Sarawak.
Among the modules covered under the course were Malaysia’s International Trade Promotion; ASEAN Economic Community and Current Practices; Malaysia’s Bilateral Economic Diplomacy; Return of Investments (ROI) for Organisations; and Strategic Analysis Methods for Economic Investments. The course mainly focuses on the theoretical and practical frameworks that underpin economic diplomacy, including theories of international trade, economic development and strategies for investment.
IDFR has also invited well-versed speakers and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to share their expertise and insights with the participants. Among them were Mr. S. Jai Shankar (Director of Exports Promotion & Market Access Division, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation); Ms. Rajeswari Veerasanai (Senior Principal Assistant Director of ASEAN Economic Integration Division, Ministry of International Trade and Industry); Mr. Qarrem Kassim and Mr. Jaideep Singh (Analyst of Economics, Trade and Regional Integration, Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia); Mr. Aznir Abdul Malek (Former Director of Quality, Tenaga Nasional Berhad); and Mr. Mohamed Zakariya Othman (Financial Specialist). The participants also had the opportunity to have a networking lunch with Dato' Syed Bakri Syed Abdul Rahman (Director General of IDFR).
Throughout the three-day course, the participants have engaged actively in the lectures, group discussions and also simulation activities with the speakers. On the last day, all participants were presented with a certificate of completion from Mr. Harvinder Singh Ramday, Acting Head of Centre of PSED for their successful venture in the Economic Diplomacy Course.
Prepared by:
Ms. Hanun Insyirah Ishak and Ms. Aida Yasmin Azhar
Centre for Political Studies and Economic Diplomacy (PSED)
