Saturday, November 17, 2012

Asean urged to work together for 2015 integration




The Secretary General of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) yesterday called on Asean member states to work collectively towards achieving the Asean Economic Community by 2015.

Sok Chenda Sophea, who chaired the 2nd Asean Investment Forum (AIF) held in Phnom Penh yesterday, said Asean members must think collectively to attract foreign direct investments in an increasingly volatile economy.

Events such as the eurozone crisis have changed the world's economic landscape, said Sok. "Whenever these changes occur, countries have to adapt to the new situation. So this forum is very timely for us to sit down together and see how can we take into account this new landscape to try to attract more investment (into Asean).

"In addition to this, individually, each country's job is to attract FDI. But at the same time, we must think collectively. Can we try to do something that is of interest to all of us?

"The focus is the Asean Community. The theme for this year's summit is 'One Community, One Destiny'. So let's make this concrete and do it together because a lot of observers seem to doubt that we can make it happen," he said.

During the 2nd Asean Investment Forum (AIF) yesterday, delegates discussed the formulation of an Asean Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) strategy amidst a changing economic landscape.

Heads of investment promotion agencies of Asean member states also looked into developing a common theme to market and promote Asean as a single integrated investment area.-Asia News Network (November 17, 2012 7:17PM)

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