Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-19 23:02:01|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Brunei is among the least connected countries in Southeast Asia, an index that measures trade flows showed.

Based on data from the DHL Global Connectedness Index 2018 released recently, Brunei came out as seventh most connected among the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The sultanate's global connectedness ranking of 79th, however, is two notches higher than its 81st spot in 2015.

The index, in its fifth edition, measures international flows of trade, capital, information and people. It also measures the current state of globalization.

The index also shows that the sultanate trails behind Singapore, which is ranked second globally, Malaysia, which is at 12th in the global rankings, Thailand (25th), Vietnam (39th), Cambodia (49th) and the Philippines (52nd).

It said that Southeast Asian countries benefit from linkages with wider Asia supply chain networks as well as ASEAN policy initiatives promoting economic integration.

"This is positive news for the region, because deeper global connectedness can help accelerate countries' economic growth," said the index.