Beyond the region, ASEAN needs to collectively respond to the opportunities offered
by its geographical and comparative advantages and to the competitive challenges brought
about by global trade and investment environment. ASEAN is located at the heart of an
economically vibrant and growing region bounded by India in the West; China, Japan and the
Republic of Korea in the Northeast; and Australia and New Zealand in the South. Thus far,
ASEAN has achieved considerable results in its economic integration efforts. Enhanced
ASEAN Connectivity can potentially place ASEAN at the centre of growth and development
and preserve the centrality of ASEAN in the evolving regional architecture, but only if it is
able to reduce the costs of investment and international trade in goods and services.