The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have signed a document that commits them to launching a new economic bloc in the region next month. The leaders signed it on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is chairing the meeting, cited the possibility of ASEAN's GDP growing to become the 4th-biggest in the world through the economic bloc. The plan calls for abolishing tariffs on imports within the region and promoting the liberalization of service industries such as retailing and tourism. It also calls for more free movement within the region of doctors, architects and others with special skills. Member nations plan to speed up efforts to abolish regulations that protect their industries from imports.The new economic community will have a population of more than 600 million. ASEAN member nations want to boost market competitiveness to achieve further economic development.