The Business Times:Asean Needs Integrate Beyond Region Trade And Industry Minister Lim Hng Khia

JUST because there is a lot of optimism over Asean's growth prospects "doesn't guarantee results", said Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Khiang.
The ability of Asean to fully realise its potential depends on "maintaining regional stability, keeping markets open, taking on pro-growth policies, and strengthening our efforts at integration", he emphasised at the Asean Business Club Forum on Monday.
He noted that with 2015 fast approaching, Asean countries have made steady progress in realising the Asean Economic Community, which aims to create a single market and production base across the region with minimal barriers to trade and investment.
Virtually all goods in Asean already move throughout the region tariff-free, he pointed out. Stronger rules have been set up to protect investments in Asean, and more seamless customs procedures will soon become possible, thanks to harmonised Asean-wide trade facilitation initiatives.