Wong said closer integration among Asean economies was key to unlocking the region’s full potential.

In a video on YouTube, Wong said trade and investment barriers must be reduced to attract businesses and investments seeking alternatives in an increasingly fragmented global economy.

He gave examples, such as “making it easier for companies to operate across borders, negotiating an Asean digital economy agreement, linking up our real-time payment systems like we have already done between Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and enhancing our physical infrastructure, including rail and power grid connectivity”.

Wong said the next decade would be critical. “Continued peace, stability and growth in Asean will transform our entire region, and this will translate to better jobs, opportunities and living standards for all our peoples,” he said.

Wong, who is also finance minister, said Asean must deepen its partnerships with the rest of the world.

He pointed out that the regional bloc already has seven free trade agreements with external partners and is exploring agreements with the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union.

“These agreements open doors for our businesses and make Asean more connected to global markets,” he noted.

He said Malaysia, as Asean chair this year, had been pushing for these reforms, and Singapore fully supported these efforts. The momentum would continue with the Philippines as chair next year, and in 2027 when Singapore assumes the chair in a milestone year marking Asean’s 60th anniversary.

Wong, who took office in May last year, told Singaporeans he had completed a round of introductory visits to Asean capitals, except for Myanmar.