Today I read an article from the Bangkok Post that reported that a survey conducted jointly by the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore and the US Chamber of Commerce identified that US firms operating in ASEAN countries are skeptical that the 2015 deadline can be met to establish a single market.

475 senior US business executives from ASEAN were polled, and 52% believe the AEC's goals will not be realised by 2015. Of this 52%, almost 60% believe it will be delayed until 2020 or even later. Those that believed the 2015 goal will be achieved made up 23%.

US firms still expect their level of trade and investment in ASEAN to rise over the next five years, with Indonesia identified as the most attractive country for new business expansion, followed by Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar.

The 10-member ASEAN which comprises of about 600 million people, aim to establish ......