KOTA BAHARU, March 1 (BERNAMA) — ASEAN economic ministers (AEM) today wrapped up their two-day retreat here with a steady progress made towards implementing the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint, particularly key measures prioritised by member states. As the regional grouping moves towards the tail-end of the AEC implementation, it has progressively removed trade obstacles such as Non-Tariff Barriers (NTB), which are a clear impediment towards the realisation of the AEC. “There are a number of highlights (achieved) during this retreat. We’d talked about NTBs, listened to reports on the progress of the economic integration, and spent a lot of time on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP),” International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed told reporters on the final day of the two-day 21st ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat (AEM) here, Sunday. Mustapa, who chaired the retreat, said eliminating non-tariff barriers is very...