Asean and its six major trading partners reaffirmed their resolve to create the world's largest economic bloc through the "East Asia Free Trade Agreement" and "Comprehen-sive Economic Partnership in East Asia" within 15 years.
The consensus to move forward with economic integration was a successful climax to the four-day Asean Economic Ministers (AEM) meeting under Asean+3 (China, Japan and South Korea) and Asean+6 (Asean+3 and India, Australia and New Zealand).
The 16 member countries will lead the region to pass the US and European Union in becoming independent economic zones. The achievement in the future will not only strengthen their regional trade relations but also wean them from imports from outside the region.
Full text from The Nation here: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/08/17/business/business_30109929.php
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