ENHANCING strategic partnerships within and beyond the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and maximizing free trade agreements (FTAs) are necessary to strengthen global supply chains, Asean's secretary-general said on Tuesday.

In a speech during the Management Association of the Philippines' 21st International CEO Conference in Bonifacio Global City on Tuesday, Kao Kim Hourn underscored the significance of enhancing multilateral ties in response to constraints brought by geopolitical tensions and environmental concerns.