Manila, Sept. 22 -- Singapore aims to build on the progress made during the Philippines' chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and pursue deeper integration within the bloc and with partners outside the region, Singapore's trade minister said on Tuesday.

Singapore will take over the chairmanship of ASEAN and the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting next year.

"We hope that we can build on the achievements that the Philippines have done this year and continue to build on the momentum and to see whether we can make further progress in ASEAN integration, both internally within ASEAN, as well as our connection with our key partners beyond ASEAN," Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yon...