Economic ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, on Feb. 27 for their 18th informal meeting to discuss issues related to the ASEAN economic community.

Illustrative image. (Source: Internet)
The 18th ASEAN economic ministers' informal meeting, chaired by Cambodian Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh, was attended by delegates from ASEAN countries, ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan, representatives from ASEAN embassies in Myanmar and ASEAN Secretariat officials.

Participants discussed challenges and weaknesses in building an ASEAN economic community by 2015 and exchanged views on tasks to be completed this year.

They also dealt with issues relating to cooperation among ASEAN countries to become an ASEAN economic community and promote trade services, investment and private sectors, as well as cooperation between ASEAN and its dialogue partners, and other related matters to be implemented in the ASEAN framework.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

VietNamNet/Vietnam Plus