ASEAN bankers have said they should focus on building relationships within the bloc before reaching out to build ties with other countries in the region, notably China, India and South Korea.

In a document detailing discussions at a two-day ASEAN Banking Council meeting ending Friday in Phnom Penh, the first time the event has been held in the Kingdom, representatives agreed to draw up a timetable of visits between members that would include liaisons with banking regulatory authorities.

“The Committee agreed that there were lots to learn amongst ASEAN countries themselves, and it may be worthwhile to focus on activities such as more frequent dialogues,” said a report of the Permanent Committee on ASEAN Inter-Regional Relations following meetings conducted Thursday.

It added that the ASEAN Banking Council would make a decision on participation by ASEAN+3 – China, South Korea and India – at a future date.

Members also decided to postpone a group visit to Australia due to the recent A(H1N1) flu outbreak. ASEAN banking officials had originally planned to meet with Australian Banking Association members in Sydney in August, but that has since been pushed back, the report said.