ASEAN commands far greater influence on Asia-Pacific trade, political, and security issues than its members could achieve individually. This has driven ASEAN’s community building efforts. This work is based largely on consultation, consensus, and cooperation
ASEAN be a single, economic market in which free movement of goods and services will take place, easier movement of capital and promotion of investment. In some key sectors, economic integration will be accelerated, including air travel, e-commerce, automotives, textiles and apparel among others. Currently, there is a wide disparity in wealth between the ten members and in many cases between regions within the same country. Since the free movement of labour is not scheduled (although it is a very important economic reality), there are likely to remain important opportunities for investment in different parts of ASEAN for those companies already established inside.