Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has called on ASEAN private enterprises to bring into full play their role in a bid to make the region a single market through an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015.

Addressing the ASEAN Business Forum held on Oct. 26-27 in Bangkok, PM Abhisit said that “the readiness of the private sector is the key element in achieving the AEC.”

PM Abhisit called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s private enterprises to more completely grasp the importance of their time and commitment, and punctually follow their adjustment plans to prepare for market liberalisation.

In addition, to implement the AEC, PM Abhisit said that ASEAN shouldn't just say no to protectionism but also carry on with liberalisation.

Meanwhile, ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan sent a clear message that ASEAN will not be a success unless the private sector gets involved and gives its support to creating a new architecture for integrating the three pillars of ASEAN - politics, economics, and socio-culture.

The ASEAN chief said that becoming a single market will lead to the rise of the middle-class in ASEAN countries, who will also be a key engine to drive economic growth in the region.

ASEAN has a total population of 582 million people. The group has a combined GDP of 1.5 trillion USD and a total of 1.7 trillion USD in trade with the world market. Last year, it attracted 60 billion USD in foreign direct investment./.