ASEAN told to boost trade, investment

ASEAN told to boost trade, investment

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday called on business
leaders in the Southeast Asian region to keep working together in
order to promote the region as a single market.

Megawati said that there was much to be gained through strong
cooperation in trade and economic relations among member
countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"Each ASEAN country should outline its potential so that
efforts can be made to realize this potential by teaming up with
neighbors," she said when hosting members of the newly formed
ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC).

ABAC consists of prominent leaders of commerce and industry,
whose members are chosen by their respective governments to
provide advice on issues and policies that influence business.

In a similar message Minister of Industry and Trade Rini
Soewandi also stressed the need for ASEAN members to improve
trade between them.

"As such is a goal that would help many of our economies to
achieve a pattern of international trade, less dependent on our
existing major partners," she said at a luncheon talks.

"The level of foreign direct investments coming to our
economies can be raised further through improved synergy between
our economies and the correction of the negative international
perception of our region," added Rini.

Comprising the region's ten countries and a combined
population of nearly 500 million, ASEAN is considered one of the
world's economic powers.