Experts optimistic over ASEAN’s survival despite global uncertainty

BANGKOK, July 25 (TNA) - Experts are optimistic over ASEAN’s survival despite the ongoing global economic uncertainty, as the 10-nation bloc has been growing healthily since it was established 45 years ago. Speaking at a seminar in Bangkok on Tuesday to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Dr. Rodolfo Severino, a former ASEAN secretary-general, said that as the ASEAN Single Community is approaching, ASEAN may, however, need to pay attention to the uncertain global economy and to avoid being influenced by certain great powers. Severino suggested that ASEAN, as an export-oriented trade bloc, should, therefore, focus on intra-regional trade; while maintaining its status as a foreign direct investment (FDI) haven and a "factory to the world". According to the former ASEAN chief, the gradual liberalization and transformation of ASEAN should not hinder the 10-member grouping from its complete integration into a single community, set by 2015. The former ASEAN chief acknowledged in case that the ASEAN transformation could not happen by 2015 as scheduled, the grouping's achievement so far should be viewed as a well progress and something deemed as an encouraging aspiration. Organised by Bangkok-based Chulalongkorn University, the four-day seminar on “Chula ASEAN Week:ASEAN Beyond 2015”, scheduled for July 24-27, becomes a platform for many other discussion panels for such themes as "The Role of ASEAN Chairmanship", "ASEAN for New Generation" and "The Role of ASEAN Secretariat in Changing Global Landscape of Power", at which ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan is also a keynote speaker. (TNA)