Question

When was the decision taken to make ASEAN Free Trade region?

• A. 1996
• B. 1999
• C. 2003
• D. 2010
• E. 1992

Hint:

AFTA $\rightarrow$ 1992; later dates often relate to ASEAN+ frameworks or tariff-phase schedules—don’t confuse decision with implementation.

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

Step 1: Identify the decision and terminology. ASEAN’s decision to create the {ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)} was taken at the 1992 Singapore Summit.

Step 2: Clarify why the listed years appear. 1996, 1999, 2003, 2010 correspond to later phases, expansions, or implementation targets in ASEAN economic integration—{not} the founding decision year.

Step 3: Exam tactic. When all options are wrong, write ``Wrong option set—Correct year is 1992 (AFTA decision)’’, with a one-line justification as above.

Step 4: Conclude. \[ \boxed{\text{Correct year: 1992 .}} \]