KUALA LUMPUR: For the first time, all the 10 Asean member countries will participate in the 7th Asean Skills Competition to be held at the Malaysian Construction Academy in Cheras, from Nov 14 to 16.

Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed said the competition, organized by the ministry, would give the participants an opportunity to showcase their talents, skills and abilities in the most critical fields in the region?s development.

"The competition can nurture the people of Asean and bring them bigger success in future," he said after launching the competition's official logo and web portal here yesterday.

He said the participants would compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in 19 skills categories.

Further information can be obtained from the official web portal at www.asean-skills.kkr.gov.my.

Asean has a population of about 576 million, a combined gross domestic product of US$1.1 trillion (RM3.8 trillion) and total trade of US$1.6 trillion.