Regarding services, much progress in integration of trade in this area was also noted. The expected endorsement of a protocol to implement the eighth package of service commitments in October this year is believed to lead to improved market access for services suppliers in ASEAN in various modes of supply, according to the statement.

During the meeting, the ministers also agreed on the need to sustain private sector interest in the AEC process, said Hoang.

They attached the importance of public-private sector engagement to ensuring greater mutual synergies in the implementation of regional development and integration measures, he said.

Hoang said that the ministers realized the necessity to bringing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into the mainstream of ASEAN economic integration.

Therefore, a strategic action plan for ASEAN SMEs development in the 2010-2015 period was endorsed by the ministers on Wednesday to reach that aim.

At the meeting, the ministers welcomed signs of an improving global economic environment as well. They forecast ASEAN's gross domestic product (GDP) growth is over 5 percent this year, compared with 1.5 percent in 2009, according to the statement.

ASEAN currently groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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