The Economic Diplomacy Course was successfully conducted from 15 to 17 April 2026 at the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR), Menara Aras Raya, Kuala Lumpur. This intensive three-day programme was strategically designed to empower participants with the essential tools necessary to advance Malaysia’s national interests within the global marketplace, specifically focusing on the intersection of foreign policy and economic prosperity. The course brought together a diverse group of 18 participants ranging from Grades 9 to 12. These officials represented a wide array of ministries and federal agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Defence, Public Service Department, IDFR, and the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM). The course was also joined by representatives from the State Secretary Offices of Kedah, Pahang, Johor, and Sarawak, alongside personnel from government-linked companies, including Tenaga Nasional Berhad.
The inaugural day established a foundational understanding of Malaysia’s economic frameworks and way forward towards the rapidly evolving digital landscape. The session commenced with an analysis of Malaysia’s Bilateral Economic Diplomacy delivered by Ms. Marini Izayu Salleh from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Bilateral Economic Diplomacy Division, who outlined the strategic foreign policy frameworks steering the nation's economic interactions. This was followed by insights from Tuan Syed Mohamad Fairus Shaik Ismail of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), who detailed the international trade promotion mechanisms that support Malaysia’s role as a global trading powerhouse. Ms. Rajeswari Veerasanai from the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) then provided an overview of the ASEAN Economic Community and the regional implications of the shifting geopolitical landscape. The afternoon featured a strategic deliberation on Decoding RMK-13 and Ekonomi MADANI by Mr. Moktar Idham Musa from the Ministry of Economy, before concluding with a session on Driving Digital Economy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance led by MDEC-certified trainer Mr. Tillandran Achuthan, who examined Malaysia’s digital growth and the frameworks necessary to support economic progress in the age of AI.
The second day of the course shifted focus toward technical risk mitigation and navigating international macroeconomic volatility. The morning session was led by Mr. Mohamed Zakariya Othman, who trained participants in Strategic Analysis Methods for Economic Investments, imparting critical knowledge on the tools required to assess the risks, long-term consequences, and sustainability of economic and investment ventures. This was complemented by a high-level afternoon session on Navigating the Trade War and Global Conflicts delivered by Prof. Dato’ Dr. Sufian Jusoh, Vice Chancellor from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Sufian analysed the complexities of current geopolitical tensions and the weaponisation of economic power, offering strategic insights into how these global frictions directly impact Malaysia’s overarching macroeconomic strategy.
The final day combined emerging global sustainability challenges with practical, scenario-based problem-solving. Mr. Salehuddin Mohamad from the Department of Mineral and Geoscience Malaysia opened the day by addressing Supply Chain Resilience and Critical Minerals, examining their strategic importance amidst ongoing geoeconomic and climate change challenges. This was followed by a presentation from Ms. Norhasliza Mohd Mokhtar of the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC), who discussed the role of green technology and how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies can be leveraged as effective diplomatic tools for global partnerships. Mr. Tillandran Achuthan then returned to facilitate an interactive workshop where participants engaged in scenario-based discussions and case study presentations, collaborating on practical strategies and sustainable legal frameworks for driving digital transformation at the state government level. The three-day programme officially concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony in recognition of the participants’ successful completion of the course.
Prepared by:
Ms Hanun Insyirah Ishak
Assistant Director
Centre for Political Studies and Economic Diplomacy (PSED)
