Burma's prime concern is the preparation for entry into the ASEAN Free Trade Area (Afta) and ASEANEconomicCommunity (AEC), as well as wanting to take its turn as ASEAN's chair in 2014.
On the trade front, after the Asian crisis ASEAN redoubled efforts not just to create free trade in merchandise goods but, by 2015, an ASEANEconomicCommunity in which goods, skilled workers and capital are supposed to move freely about.
We welcomed the innovative and active collaboration between ASEAN and the United States to boost trade facilitation measures that will support ASEAN's goal of a single economiccommunity and production base by 2015.
And finally, I stressed my strong support for ASEAN's ambitious goal of creating a community by 2015, including its bold effort to achieve economic integration, which will contribute to a sustained and lasting prosperity within this region and throughout the world.