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Malaysia''s interest and involvement in regional cooperation and integration (RCI) is extensive. In addition to ASEAN, BIMP-EAGA, and IMT-GT, Malaysia participates in a wide variety of RCI efforts including the Coral Triangle Initiative and the Islamic Financial Services Board. Malaysia is also an active shareholder of the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund and will assume its chairmanship in 2015-2017. Malaysia will be chair of ASEAN in 2015 and is expected to push for concrete RCI projects in support of the ASEAN Economic Community.

The small-scale technical assistance (SSTA) reflects both the commitment of Malaysia and ADB to encourage inclusive economic growth through RCI. The Malaysian Government has expressed this goal particularly in the ongoing 10th Malaysia Plan. Under Strategy 2020 and as further reinforced under the Midterm Review of Strategy 2020, ADB is expected to increase its support for RCI. This TA is thus consistent with the Malaysian national development strategy and ADB''s overall strategic efforts. ADB has supported Malaysia in the areas of project identification, implementation and institutional coordination at the subregional level through the BIMP-EAGA and the IMT-GT programs. Previous work encouraged the Government of Malaysia to plan follow-up activities to be carried out under this SSTA, and hence made the request to ADB in May 2014. The Economic Planning Unit believes there are opportunities to identify new regional connectivity projects that can be incorporated into the 11th Malaysia Plan and other existing RCI programs. The SSTA will be reimbursed by the GOM and administered by ADB.