21st ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat
27 February – 1 Mac 2015
Kota Bharu, Malaysia
MEDIA ADVISORY
21st ASEAN ECONOMIC MINISTERS’ RETREAT
27 FEBRUARY – 1 MARCH 2015
THE RENAISSANCE HOTEL, KOTA BHARU, KELANTAN, MALAYSIA
1. INTRODUCTION
Malaysia assumes the annual rotating chairmanship of ASEAN beginning January 1, 2015
from Myanmar. Malaysia’s vision is the creation of a ‘People-Centred ASEAN’ involving all
sectors of society in ASEAN’s activities clearly reflected in the chairmanship theme ‘Our
People, Our Community, Our Vision’.
A significant milestone for ASEAN in 2015 is the realisation of the ASEAN Community as
outlined in the ‘Roadmap for an ASEAN Community 2009-2015’ where all 10 members aim
to achieve uniformity of rules and procedures and seamless physical, infrastructural and
people-to-people connectivity.
As Chair, Malaysia’s key focus is to ensure that the priority measures and initiatives for the
ASEAN Community are in place and the integration process continues progressively beyond
2015. Besides leading ASEAN to achieve these goals in 2015, Malaysia also sees, as equally
important, efforts to develop the ASEAN Community’s Post-2015 Vision as a guide for the
community to further prosper and grow.
Among the major meetings Malaysia will host are the 26th ASEAN Summit in April 2015 and
the 27th ASEAN Summit in November 2015. Malaysia will also be hosting Ministerial-level
meetings under the three Pillars of ASEAN Community, namely the Political-Security,
Economic and Socio-Cultural Pillars.
For the Economic Pillar, the 21st ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat will be held in
Renaissance Hotel, Kota Bharu, Kelantan from February 27 to March 1, 2015.
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The AEM Retreat, brings together Economic Ministers and Senior Officials from all 10 ASEAN
Member States as well as the Secretary General of ASEAN.
The ASEAN Member States are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The ASEAN Economic Ministers are expected to discuss the current implementation of the
AEC, as well as the pursuit of expanding and deepening market integration in ASEAN beyond
2015.
2. ACCREDITATION & MEDIA ATTIRE
Accreditation is required for journalists/photographers/broadcasters covering the event. For
accreditation to cover the Retreat, please submit the Registration and Accreditation Form as
attached.
Alternatively, kindly log on to http://asean2015.bernama.com/ to register online.
Each media organization is requested to appoint a representative to coordinate
accreditation and accommodation arrangements for its team. Please duplicate the form if
more are required.
Media representatives should provide a letter of assignment endorsed by their respective
agency with their application.
Members of the media are requested to return their accreditation forms with photographs
to the Media Secretariat as follows:
21st ASEAN ECONOMIC MINISTERS’ RETREAT MEDIA SECRETARIAT
BERNAMA Media Relations & Event Management
5th Floor, Wisma BERNAMA,
28 Jalan 1/65A, Off Jalan Tun Razak,
50700 Kuala Lumpur
Tel
: +603 – 2694 1024 / 2694 1023 / 2696 2123
Fax : +603 – 2694 1021 / 2694 1022
E-mail : mediasec@bernama.com
Malaysian and foreign media should return their forms to the Media Secretariat by 20
February 2015.
Accreditation badges and information kits will be available at the International Media
Centre (IMC). The Accreditation badges must be worn at all times.
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Members of the media are required to wear proper attire for all meetings during the ASEAN
Economic Ministers’ Retreat. Media are not allowed to wear jeans at all venues during their
coverage of the 21st ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat.
3. MEDIA FACILITIES
The International Media Centre (IMC) for the 21st ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat will
be located at the Merak 1 and Merak 2, Level 7, The Renaissance Hotel, Kota Bharu,
Kelantan, Malaysia.
The IMC will provide adequate working space, communication facilities and other related
media services to meet the requirements of all accredited journalists, broadcasters and
photographers.
The IMC will begin operating from February 27, 2015. The operating hours are 8.00 a.m. –
8.00 p.m.
4. PROGRAMME
The outline Programme of Activities for the 21st ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat is
attached.
5. ACCOMMODATION
Media representatives will be responsible for their own travel arrangements and
reservation of hotel accommodation. Members of the media are requested to deal directly
with their preferred hotels on the number of rooms required, guest names, arrival and
departure dates, rates and payment procedures.
Media Hotels:
1. Renaissance Hotel, Kota Bharu
Kota Sri Mutiara, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra
Kota Bharu, 15150
Tel : +60-9-746-2233
Fax : +60-9-746-1122
Email: reservations@renaissancehotels-res.com
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2. Hotel Perdana Kota Bharu
Jalan Mahmood
15200 Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Tel : +609-7458888
Fax : +609-748 8855
Email: sales@hotelperdanakotabharu.com
reservations@hotelperdanakotabharu.com
3. Grand Riverview Hotel, Kota Bharu
Jalan Post Office Lama
15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Tel : +609-743 9988
Fax : +609-743 8388
Email: resv@grv.com.my
4. Holiday Villa Hotel & Suites
PT 968, Jalan Kuala Krai
Wakaf Che Yeh
15150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan
P. O. Box 282
Tel : +609-7474004
Fax : +6-09-7473003
Email: rsvn@holidayvillakb.com
5. Sutera Inn Hotel, Kota Bharu
Jalan Dusun Muda Off Jalan Bayam
15200, Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Tel : +609-744 1000
Fax : +609-7442000
Email: reservation@suterainn.com
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6. ENTRY FORMALITIES
Visitors must have national passports or other internationally recognised travel documents,
endorsed for travelling in Malaysia and with a validity period of at least six (6)
months beyond the time of stay allowed in Malaysia. Please be informed that nationals
from certain countries may require appropriate visas to enter Malaysia. Please verify the
visa requirement from the nearest Malaysian Mission or kindly log on
to http://www.kln.gov.my.
All non-resident travellers are required to complete the Travellers' Declaration Form to
declare the amount of foreign currency notes and travellers cheques they are carrying upon
their arrival and departure.
7. CUSTOMS CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
Media representatives bringing in equipment into Malaysia should complete the Customs
Importation Forms with detailed inventory including model and serial number of the
equipment.
Media representatives are required to get a letter/form called “Carnet” from their
respective Customs authorities. This form will indicate equipment being brought in to
facilitate coverage of the 21st ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat.
Upon arrival at Malaysian Customs, the “Carnet” must be shown, duly authorised by the
Customs in the country of origin. This is to ensure that all equipment brought in by the
media representatives is taken out of Malaysia on departure.
The form will endorse the full list of equipment being brought into Malaysia.
8. MEDICAL
Vector surveillance is carried out in all ports and airports for Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes.
Travellers without a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate, approved by WHO and
administrated at an approved Yellow Fever Vaccinating Centre, will be quarantined upon
arrival in Malaysia. Media Representatives whose points of departure for Malaysia are from
Latin America or African countries should have a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate.
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9. MEDICAL FACILITIES
The Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia has been alerted
to provide outpatient and inpatient services. Ambulance will be provided when necessary to
ferry the sick to hospital. There will be doctors and paramedics to provide immediate
emergency services to delegates, participants and media representatives attending the 21st
ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat.
However, those accorded medical services will be financially responsible for all services
beyond the scope of the clinic including:
- references to medical specialists
- diagnostics tests
- medical supplies
- dental services
10. INFORMATION
Requests for accreditation forms and additional information on media services and facilities
should be directed to:
21st ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat Media Secretariat
General information:
Ms Zaria Mohd Nasri
Tel
: 603 – 2694 1024 / 2694 1023 / 2696 2123
Fax : 603 – 2694 1021 / 22
Email : mediasec@bernama.com
Accreditation/Registration:
Name : Ms Fateha Yusoff / Ms Audrey
Tel
: 603 – 2696 2120 / 2696 2125
Fax : 603 – 2694 1021 / 22
Email : mediasec@bernama.com
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11. WEBSITE
BERNAMA’s web address: http://asean2015.bernama.com/
Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) ASEAN Economic Community Internet
page: http://www.miti.gov.my/cms/aec2015.jsp
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