Closer economic ties and ways of coping better with devastating natural disasters in the region will be on the agenda as Asian leaders gather in Thailand this week. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meets on Friday in the resort town of Hua Hin for its annual summit, followed by talks with the leaders of China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, India and New Zealand. ASEAN leaders are likely to discuss measures to further integrate their economies by bringing down trade and financial barriers and making it easier for professionals, business executives and skilled labour to work across the region. Briefing the media on the Summit, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. N.Ravi said that the India-ASEAN Summit will further increase with the impetus it has already got and will be further consolidated in the Summit. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh will attend the 7th India-ASEAN Summit at Hua Hin followed by the 4th East Asia Summit. He is also likely to have bilateral meetings with several leaders during his stay in Thailand.