Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman announced on April 20 that hewill raise the issue of an AEAN common time zone with his colleagues atthe ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting prior to the 26th Summit in KualaLumpur.

He said Malaysia believes a common time zone wouldboost the sense of togetherness among the ASEAN people, in line with theformation of an integrated ASEAN Community by the end of this year.

Minister Anifah pointed out that among the benefits of a common timezone for the region would be the enhancement of trade and cooperationamong governments and between ASEAN and other countries in Asia.

A common time zone would widen the communication time window,coordinate shared market activities, enhance flight operation systems,and improve business and banking networks in the Asian region, he added.

In January, the ASEAN foreign ministers agreed on the merit ofhaving a common time zone for ASEAN member countries during the ASEANForeign Ministers Retreat in Kota Kinabalu.

The ASEAN seniorofficials also had an extensive deliberation on the proposal at theASEAN Senior Officials Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on March 10.

Most ASEAN member states are still studying and consulting theirrespective government agencies on the ASEAN Common Time Zone proposal.

Formed in 1967, ASEAN's members include Brunei, Cambodia,Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailandand Vietnam.-VNA