ASEAN economic ministers make final push for integration

KUALA LUMPUR: Economic ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) kicked off meetings Saturday to put the finishing touches to the establishment of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) by year end, while pushing closer ties with its leading trading partners including China.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 47th AseanEconomic Ministers’ Meeting, Malaysian International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed, who chairs the meetings, said Asean is determined to push forward the economic integration despite challenging political and economic environment.