JAKARTA, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri has urged ASEAN businesses to increase trade in the region on the eve of the group's summit in Bali.
She also said investors should not be deterred by the terrorism threat, the Jakarta Post reported.
The three-day summit is being held as leaders of the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations gather for the regional grouping's annual summit. Leaders of the region's major trading partners, including Japan, China, India and South Korea, are also scheduled to participate in the summit.
ASEAN consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The group is also expected to endorse a framework to establish the ASEAN Economic Community in 17 years, which is to create a common market covering a population of more than 500 million that will boost trade and investment activities.
ASEAN will also sign agreements with Japan and India on the establishment of ASEAN Free Trade Areas, or AFTA.
