Manila, September 24 (AseanAll) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will strengthen its promotion of regional cooperation and integration, including support for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Power Grid, by establishing a new office in Malaysia. The office will also enable sustained engagement with the Government of Malaysia and the nation’s private sector and knowledge institutions.
“Malaysia sits at the heart of Southeast Asia’s economic networks,” said ADB President Masato Kanda. “The new Malaysia office gives ADB a powerful base from which to help strengthen connectivity within Southeast Asia and move capital from across sectors and expertise where they are needed most—whether in the country or beyond.”
The office is anchored in Malaysia’s role within ASEAN and will position the country as a strategic hub for mobilizing private investment and advancing major regional initiatives.
Malaysia hosts the incorporated headquarters of the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund, the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area Facilitation Center, and the Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle Center. The country is also involved in 10 of the 18 priority interconnection projects under the ASEAN Power Grid.
The Malaysia office will deepen ADB’s engagement with the government, financial institutions, investors, businesses, and research and technology organizations. It will help coordinate regional initiatives in areas such as energy connectivity, digital infrastructure, and financial integration, while expanding opportunities to mobilize private capital through Malaysia’s mature financial markets and expertise in Islamic finance.
The office is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2027. It will represent ADB in Malaysia, manage strategic relationships, develop regional and private sector opportunities, coordinate regional initiatives, and convene knowledge exchanges. Malaysia is a founding member and shareholder of ADB.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.
