STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK ON A NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS FOR MALAYSIA business regulations that impact on their businesses’ supply chain activities and outward investments with the intention of creating a level playing field internationally.11 Countries such as Colombia and Tanzania are making responsible business conduct a priority by developing NAPs on business and human rights.12 An NAP on business and human rights will enable Malaysian companies and Malaysia to stay competitive in the changing global marketplace. (e) Demonstrate Malaysia’s leadership of ASEAN as Chair of ASEAN in 2015. Especially with the ASEAN Economic Community as the goal of regional economic integration by 2015, achieving sustainable economic development by reconciling economic goals with human rights protection will require regional cooperation and action. Integrating business and human rights into ASEAN’s agenda will ensure that regional economic integration advances the ASEAN Charter’s purposes of alleviating poverty, enhancing good governance and the rule of law, promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, promoting sustainable development, and providing equitable access to opportunities for human development and justice.13 Notably, Myanmar, Philippines and Indonesia may also develop NAPs on business and human rights.14 (f) Place Malaysia among the leading wave of countries that have developed NAPs on business and human rights and that are in the process of doing so. Five governments have issued official NAPs on business and human rights.15 The first of these was issued by the United Kingdom in 2013. An estimated twenty-two other governments have made a commitment to develop NAPs for business and human rights, at least nine of which, including the United States, have taken concrete steps to fulfill their commitment.16 15. There should be an NAP on business and human rights that is separate and distinct from a National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP). First, business and human rights issues are unique and can be complex, and it would be difficult to meet the specific needs of the task if it is confined within the processes and mechanisms of a broader NHRAP. In that regard, the Guiding Principles have developed a distinct and specific problem-solving approach that is tailored to the particular challenges posed by economic and business activities. Implementing the Guiding Principles hence requires a process of its own. Second, businesses are essential and central stakeholders for an NAP on business and human rights, but this is generally not the case for an NHRAP. Subsuming business and human rights within a broader NHRAP will likely pose difficulties for obtaining and managing the participation of businesses. 16. While the development of an NAP requires the investment of resources, the Commission respectfully submits that the importance of reconciling economic interests with human rights protection justify the allocation of these resources. Businesses and non-governmental initiatives, such as those interested in advocating for responsible business conduct and levelling the playing field internationally, may also be willing to contribute resources to the NAP process and support its implementation. 5