By Alito L. Malinao

April 3, 2015

There are still many challenges lying ahead in the full implementation of the ambitious ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Economic Community (AEC) by the end of this year as economic ministers from the group themselves are not quite sure about the prospects of achieving this goal.

A joint statement issued after the 21st ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting held in Kota Bharu, Malaysia from Feb. 28 to March 1, 2015, said that "the implementation of the AEC measures does not mean that ASEAN will become a single economic entity by Jan. 1, 2016, rather it sends a strong signal that positive measures have been put in place towards a more liberalized and integrated economic region."

Read more:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-04/03/c_134123170.htm