Inspired by the region's economic boom, Mandela sought greater economic relations with East Asia, in particular with Malaysia, although this was prevented by the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
Terinspirasi oleh ledakan ekonomi di kawasan ini, Mandela mempererat hubungan ekonominya dengan Asia Timur, terutama dengan Malaysia, walaupun terganggu oleh krisis keuangan Asia 1997.