Initiatives and projects of the 10-naiton Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) aimed at establishing a unified market will push through even without formal endorsement by heads of state, after Thailand decided to postpone the regional grouping’s 14th summit, the ASEAN secretary general said.

“The postponement of the summit should not distract us from what we are doing for the well-being, livelihood and welfare of the peoples in this region,” Surin Pitsuwan said in a statement.

The ASEAN summit and related meetings were supposed to be held in Chiang Mai next week, but host Thailand, in view of massive antigovernment protests in Bangkok, announced on Tuesday that a new schedule would be set soon.

Surin said the ASEAN secretariat would explore ways to minimize the adverse impact of the meet postponement on ASEAN activities. “Some initiatives and projects in the pipeline will be given due consideration to proceed without having to wait for the summit,” he said.

The ASEAN groups together the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (Burma.)

One project that is expected to push ahead is implementation of a regional “single window” system for customs.

A “single window” system enables a single submission and synchronous processing of data and information, which results in a single point of decision for release of cargoes by customs authorities. The aim is to make more efficient and transparent the customs processes within and among countries. Ronnel W. Domingo; edited by INQUIRER.net