Britain says 'open for business,' seeks deeper ASEAN ties

Britain sees huge tring opportunities in Souast Asia and seeks to build a “new modern and dynamic” relationship with region's 10 nations after leaving European Union, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Tuesday.

Raab said Britain sees Malaysia as a key partner in Association of Souast Asian Nations and that he me clear in talks with his Malaysian counterpart, Saifuddin Abdullah, that “global Britain is open for business” following its contentious split from EU.

He said Britain has appointed Jon Lambe as ambassor to Jakarta-based ASEAN as it seeks to bolster ties with region.

“We kw how important this region is and want to work toger in a partnership of equals with all 10 members for a safer, more free and more prosperous future,” he told a joint news conference in Malaysia on last leg of an Asian tour that also took him to Australia, Japan and Singapore.

Saifuddin said Malaysia believes “Brexit is t a hindrance but an opportunity" for both countries to explore new fields of cooperation.

British embassy said medical device manufacturer Smith and Nephew is set to break ground this month on its first manufacturing plant in Souast Asia in Malaysia's rrn Penang state. plant will create up to 800 new jobs over five years in a boost to bilateral tre, which has hit 5 billion pounds ($6.5 billion) annually, it said.

Raab also pledged Britain's support for Malaysia's efforts to clean up oceans by reducing plastic use and marine debris and to work toger to stop illegal shipments of plastic waste from United Kingdom. Malaysia last month said it h sent back 150 containers of plastic waste to 13 mainly rich countries, including 42 containers to U.K., as it refused to become world's thrash bin. Officials have said re are ar 110 containers being held at port, including nine from U.K.