Phar Kim Beng is CEO of Malaysian consultancy Strategic Pan Indo-Pacific Arena.
As chair, PM Anwar Ibrahim will focus on boosting trade and investment flows

Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone hands over the ASEAN hammer to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the National Convention Centre, in Vientiane, Laos, in October. © Reuters
Phar Kim Beng is CEO of Malaysian consultancy Strategic Pan Indo-Pacific Arena.