On behalf of the Malaysian Shipowners' Association, I would like to thank the hospitality and courtesies extended by the Australian Shipowners Association (ASA) in hosting the 14th Asian Shipowners Forum.

The support extended by the ASA is a clear reflection of the need for shipowners in the region to work together on a number of critical issues facing the industry. Asia is rapidly emerging as a maritime powerhouse, and the wider the geographical outreach by countries in the region, the more effective will our common stand on issues facing the industry become.

While we are witnessing a 'golden era' of shipping, we are also faced with a host of challenges emanating from the changing regimes in shipping and trade. This requires us to take a common approach, as we in Asia have always stressed, on a multilateral rather than unilateral approach to problems or issues facing the industry.

In this regard, ASF has become an important platform for shipowners in the region to address our concerns and the needs of the industry in a collective and coordinated manner.

The shipping industry is now enjoying robust growth, and this meeting provides another valuable platform for we practitioners in the industry to look ahead with considerable optimism whilst we cope with and respond to the numerous issues and challenges facing us.

ASF must now seek progress on its achievements to further provide a stronger regional consensus for Asia. In this regard, I am sure all delegates to the 14th ASF meeting will seek to participate actively as well as exchange views that are common to us.

I am pleased to convey my best wishes to all the delegates to the 14th ASF and wish you all a fruitful discussion.

Thank you.