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Asean ministers to formalise AEC blueprint
With just months left before the launch of the Asean Economic Community, the regionâs economic ministers will gather here next weekend to put the finishing touches to the AEC 2015 Blueprint
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ith just months left before the launch of the Asean Economic Community, the region's economic ministers will gather here next weekend to put the finishing touches to the AEC 2015 Blueprint.
During the four-day Asean EcoÂnomic Ministers meeting, the ministers will also work on developing Asean Post-2015 economic vision and Asean SME master plan for the next 10 years.
International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed, who will chair several meetings during the period, said the AEC would formally set up a single market and production base among the 10 member states of the regional body by the end of this year.
'The eventual integration of national economies into a single regional bloc is expected to facilitate the creation of a seamless trade and investment regime in Asean.
'It will also propel Asean's economy, whose GDP is currently estimated at US$2.7 trillion, into a global powerhouse,' said Mustapa in a statement here yesterday.
He said that under the AEC, the GDP for the region was expected to rise to a combined $4.7 trillion by 2020.
Mustapa is scheduled to chair the AEM and the Asean Economic Ministers Consultations with Asean Dialogue Partners.
Economics ministers from China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, Canada, Russia and the United States will take part in the meetings.
The EU-Asean Business Summit and the East Asia Investment Forum will be held on August 23 and 24.(+++)
