Gas exporting states agree Qatar-based 'gas OPEC' MOSCOW (AFP) - Gas exporting states on Tuesday finalised the creation of a new Qatar-based forum aimed at coordinating gas policy that consumer countries fear could become the gas equivalent of oil cartel OPEC. Southeast Asian leaders form trade zone Southeast Asian leaders agreed Saturday to turn their region into a free-trade zone by 2015 -- a decade earlier than previously proposed -- and create a tighter political bloc. Asian Games grow bigger, better and all about China It was bigger and better than ever before and ended up being all about China, which demolished its regional opposition once again as it prepares for the Beijing Olympics.