MANILA - Government officials and entrepreneurs of ASEAN will gather in Metro Manila of the Philippines for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Forum to coordinate regional efforts for development, the Philippine Trade Department said Tuesday.

The forum, to be held on April 10, is planned to discuss opportunities and advantages presented by the AEC and the overall implementation of its commitments to the regional community.

It will launch a series of roundtable discussions on the ASEAN Economic Community to raise awareness and promote proper understanding of the regional community.

The forum will mobilize support, integrate and harmonize public- private efforts towards taking full advantage of opportunities under the ASEAN Economic Community.

The ASEAN Economic Community is the logical progression of ASEAN's economic integration efforts initiated in early 1990's that include the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), ASEAN industrial Cooperation Scheme (AICO), ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services ( AFAS) and ASEAN Investments Area (AIA).