Asean confident of achieving 95 per cent of measures under AEC blueprint

Asean member states are confident that by end-2015, at least 95 per cent of the measures under the Asean Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint will be implemented.

A slight shortfall is expected and measures not achieved within the target year will be continued and incorporated into the Post 2015 Economic Vision that is now being developed, according to Malaysia's Minister of International and Industry, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

Briefing Malaysian reporters on the progress here this morning, he said the overall average Asean implementation rate of measures under the AEC Blueprint was a credible 82.1 per cent, and slightly higher for Malaysia at 83.9 per cent.

He said the progress has been encouraging despite challenges faced by countries in aligning domestic economic policies to the regional commitment.

The 10 Asean countries have a combined population of 617 million people and Gross Domestic Product of US$2.5 trillion and growing at an average 5.3 per cent for the period 2006-2013.