If ASEAN members are preparedto move forward together, the regional grouping could stand a real chance of playing a pivotal role in the economic future of Asia, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said here Wednesday.

More could and should be done to make integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the ground although countries had clearly recognized the benefits of greater trade integration driven by the forces of globalization, Najib said in his closing address at the Second Asia Economic Summit.

The three-day summit was attended by hundreds of corporate leaders and economists from various countries and regions in Asia.

"We need to seriously address the issues of non-tariff barriers,inconsistent customs procedures and divergent product standards that throw sand into the wheels of AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Area)," he said.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. In January 1992, ASEAN leaders signed an agreement to create AFTA by 2008.

Najib said the member countries needed to overcome the differential economic growth between the region and the rest of the world.

"Trade among ASEAN members has roughly doubled in the last 10 years, but this growth has been no faster than our trade with the rest of the world," he said.

On Asia's developments, Najib said he was optimistic that Asiancountries would continue to maintain stable political environments,pursue pro-business economic policies and participate in the global economy.

He said Asian countries should also raise more open competition,both domestically and internationally. This task would test the abilities of political and business leaders across Asia.

"Foremost is the task of structural adjustment, transforming anunder-performing old economy into a dynamic and sustainable new economy," he added.

/Source: Xinhua