MAAYE is set up to break the connectivity boundaries and barriers for ASEAN youth economic integration and development of innovative markets, as it is the 1st association of such background in Malaysia. The Association will emphasize and create awareness among young entrepreneurs about AEC 2015. It will also encourage and promote further business opportunities among ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs from
fellow ASEAN countries. The Association will form a proactive, positive, reliable and hardworking committee to promote Malaysia as the one stop center for budding young entrepreneurs. The ASEAN region has firmly established itself as one of the most attractive emerging economic blocs in the world, with the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint outlining the aspirations of the region to be a single market and production base with equitable economic development fully integrated into the global economy. The young population plays an integral role in the growth and strengthening of human capital and economic development in ASEAN. Despite a sizeable population of 620million, the regional median age is only 27 years old, with close to 60% or 370million people below the age of 40 years with a rapidly growing literacy rate. As the regional economy continues to integrate, entrepreneurship and innovation are also key elements to capitalise on growing business opportunities from the burgeoning market. Regional awareness and access to market is crucial to boost intra-ASEAN trade, which currently stands at only 24% of total trade.
