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Malaysian PM says ASEAN group will help workers
Leaders gathering: U
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Leaders gathering: U.S. President Barack Obama stands with fellow APEC leaders for an official photo prior to the welcome dinner at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Manila, Philippines Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015. Leaders from 21 countries and self-governing territories are gathering in Manila for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. The meeting's official agenda is focused on trade, business and economic issues but terrorism, South China Sea disputes and climate change are also set to be in focus. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (APEC) summit in Manila, Philippines Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015. Leaders from 21 countries and self-governing territories are gathering in Manila for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. The meeting's official agenda is focused on trade, business and economic issues but terrorism, South China Sea disputes and climate change are also set to be in focus. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
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span class="caption" style="width: 510px;">Leaders gathering: U.S. President Barack Obama stands with fellow APEC leaders for an official photo prior to the welcome dinner at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Manila, Philippines Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015. Leaders from 21 countries and self-governing territories are gathering in Manila for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. The meeting's official agenda is focused on trade, business and economic issues but terrorism, South China Sea disputes and climate change are also set to be in focus. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak says the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community will benefit poor and unskilled workers.
He says strong economic growth and an inflow of foreign direct investments have created jobs, with the average ASEAN unemployment rate at a low of 3.3 percent. He said this in an interview with national news agency Bernama published Friday.
He said there are huge opportunities for skilled workers, as countries look to grow from higher value-added activities and knowledge-based sectors.
ASEAN is a grouping of 10 countries in Southeast Asia. It embarked on the creation of a Europe-like economic community a decade ago, and it will be formally declared as an entity at the grouping's summit this weekend.
Najib says there is still more work to be done, as creating an integrated economic community cannot be done overnight. (ags)
