The 8th Cambodia-Asia Economic Forum took place in Phnom Penh on March 17-18, focusing on reviewing the ASEAN achievements in the past 45 years and looking at opportunities and challenges toward the realisation of an ASEAN community by 2015.

The two-day forum saw the participation of some 300 economists, academics, researchers, and policy makers from Asian countries.

Speaking at the opening of the forum, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Keat Chhon said ASEAN has made tremendous progress in all areas of co-operation in the last 45 years.

He said ASEAN needs to strengthen its capacity to join global efforts to seek solutions to global affairs, in which the prestige and role of the group will be further enhanced at international arena.

"ASEAN is an important player in the region among other successful organisations in the world. I strongly believe that ASEAN community will be realised in the next two years," he said.

VietNamNet/Vietnam Plus