ASEAN set to become single mkt by 2015

Jamil Siddiqui
KARACHI: The 10 members of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) are targeting to become a single country market and production base with a highly competitive economy by 2015 under its Vision 2020.
This was disclosed by Chairman ASEAN in Pakistan and Ambassador of Philippines while delivering his key note address during an Interactive Session on the topic of "PAKISTAN- ASEAN: A way forward for durable relations" organised by Karachi Council on Foreign Relations, Economic Affairs & Law (KCFR) at Hotel Avari with the Ambassadors & High Commissioners of 7 ASEAN countries held on Wednesday.
He said that the establishment of an outward looking, prosperous and caring ASEAN community is the main goal which will be achieved finally.
Earlier Secretary General & CEO KCFR Ehsan Mukhtar Zubairi in his welcome note said this is the first time that 7 ASEAN countries are present in the KCFR seminar which will pave the way to bring ASEAN people & Government more close to Pakistan.
He urged that ASEAN should hold single country exhibition in Pakistan to promote bilateral trade. On this occasion Chairman KCFR Lt Gen (Retd) Moinuddin Hyder, Economic Advisor KCFR Dr Junaid Ahmed and others also aired their point of view.