国际英语新闻：Thai PM: Business sector to play key role in ASEAN integration

BANGKOK, Thailand, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday said ASEAN's business community will play a key role in the grouping's moves towards its goal of becoming economic integration by 2015.

    "The real drivers for trade and investment integration will be the private sector," Abhisit said.

    The prime minister made the remarks when he addressed business leaders from 10 member states and 11 other countries attending the2008 ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (BIS).

    The conference, which began on Wednesday and ends on Friday, took place at Bangkok's Plaza Athenee hotel.

    He said that the ASEAN Free Trade Area was a good beginning towards integration. "But we have to do much, much more."

    Abhisit also said "smaller business entities" should not be left behind in the process of integration.

    During the 14th ASEAN Summit, leaders of the ten ASEAN member countries will sign or adopt a total of 24 ASEAN related documents.

    Among other documents, Declaration on the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community (2009-2015) will be signed.

    He stressed on the importance of closer cooperation between the private sector and the public sector, as well as between the private sectors within ASEAN.

    He expressed optimism for ASEAN to achieve its shared dream of becoming one community. "During Thailand's chairmanship, let me ensure you that ASEAN will be closer towards realizing the dream of the founding fathers to build a strong and prosperous community for caring and sharing society," he said.

    The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on Aug. 8, 1967. The ASEAN member states are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.