34. The sub-regional initiatives in the ASEAN region focus primarily on the lagging areas or countries in the
region. Thus, they complement the national programmes of ASEAN Member States under the various
ASEAN regional initiatives and roadmaps such as the AEC Blueprint and the Master Plan on ASEAN
Connectivity. Thus, it is important to ensure strong coordination and complementarities between the
sub-regional initiatives and the ASEAN regional initiatives.