Regional Economic Policy Support Facility
Regional Partnerships Scheme
Program Stream
AADCP Undergoes Mid-Term Review
The ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program (AADCP), an AUD45 million program over six years, is reaching its halfway mark. To ensure highest-quality outcomes, AusAID and the ASEAN Secretariat have commissioned a review of the program's focus, arrangements and responsiveness to regional priorities.
The review, which began in April 2005, is well-timed in view of major developments since AADCP was planned. These include ASEAN's adoption of a new six-year workplan, the Vientiane Action Programme (2004-2010), and intensified ASEAN-Australian cooperation in relation to the proposed ASEAN-ANZ Free Trade Area, regional security, health and other cross-border issues.
The objectives of the review are:
● to assess AADCP's quality and
performance in relation to its stated goals
● to define any implementation issues and propose solutions to these ● to identify lessons and good
practices for future use
● to provide a basis for discussion of possible future forms of ASEAN-Australian cooperation, and
● to assist the partners in public accountability and reporting to governments.
Besides considering AADCP's alignment with the Vientiane Action Programme and current ASEAN-Australian initiatives, the review has looked, in particular, at the extent of participation in program activities by ASEAN's newer members (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam).
The review team was led by Dr Penelope Murphy, with Australian consultants Mr Paul Bartlett and Mr John Wrigley, ASEAN nominee Ms Lim Pao Li and two AusAID representatives, Mr Geoff McConnell and Ms Marilou Drilon. Its work was well supported by the ASEAN Secretariat, by members of ASEAN sectoral working groups involved in various program activities, and ACIL Australia Pty Ltd and Melbourne University Private Ltd as Australian Managing Contractors for the Regional Partnerships Scheme (RPS), the Program Stream (PS) and the Regional Economic Policy Support Facility (REPSF).
The team commenced its field work with a visit to the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. The team divided into two groups in order to seek feedback from program stakeholders in Laos and Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore. Members then returned to the ASEAN Secretariat to present their preliminary findings.
The review team is preparing a full report, for comment by AusAID and the ASEAN Secretariat before it is finalised. It will offer a basis for considering how ASEAN-Australian development cooperation can best continue to serve our shared interests and goals.
aadcp
newsletter
No. 7, May 2005
In April 2005, the Mid Term Review team met with the ASEAN Deputy Secretary General (DSG) of General Functional Cooperation to discuss AADCP priorities and performance. From left to right: Mr Paul Bartlett (MTR team member), Ms Lim Pao Li (MTR team member), Dr Wilfrido V. Villacorta (DSG of General Functional Cooperation), Dr Penelope
Murphy (MTR leader), Mr John Wrigley (MTR team member) and M. Andri Mulia (ASEAN Secretariat).
ASEAN – Australia Development Cooperation Program
In this Newsletter
● AADCP undergoes a Mid Term Review ● Five new projects funded under the
Regional Partnerships Scheme
● Developing regional competency
standards for renewable energy training in ASEAN
● Program Stream enhances quality and
safety of ASEAN's fish and fish products
● Supporting ASEAN Shipping, Airlines
and SMEs through the Regional Economic Policy Support Facility
● AADCP supports ASEAN water
RPS Funds New Projects in Intellectual Property, Statistics,
Finfish, Capital Markets and Aquatic Animal Health
ASEAN – Australia Development Cooperation Program
The link between access to modern energy services and economic development is well established, and acknowledged amongst key overseas development agencies. Renewable Energy (RE) technologies such as solar, wind, bioenergy and small-scale hydro power are highly relevant to future sustainable development of most ASEAN Members. They are particularly appropriate in the rural development context, as potential enabling technologies for essential services in the health, education, and ICT sectors, as well as supporting increased local productivity. While RE technologies are broadly mature today, one of the key factors preventing more widespread access to and continuing effective operation of RE-based services, is the lack of skilled local personnel -predominately in the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector - to undertake system design and installation, and to
provide ongoing service, maintenance and advice.
RPS is funding the project 'Development of Regional Competency Standards for Training in Renewable Energy'. This project was approved by the fourth JSRP in April 2004, and is the first step in introducing accredited RE training into the ASEAN region. It is being managed by Global Sustainable Energy Solutions Pty Ltd in Australia in partnership with the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) in Jakarta.
The project commenced with a workshop in Singapore in October 2004 that was attended by 34 people from all 10 ASEAN member countries and Australia. This workshop led to the formation of six committees which are currently reviewing the drafts for nine Competency Standards. Such standards describe the essential skills required for a technician to
safely and competently undertake a particular task, such as installing a solar power home system or installing a micro-hydro system in a village.
These draft standards will be reviewed over the next six months and will result in regional standards that will be used to accredit RE training courses in the region in accordance with the guidelines of the Institute for Sustainable Power (www.ispq.org).
In November this year, ten people from across the ASEAN region will be trained as auditors so that there will be local capacity for undertaking the audits of training institutes that apply for accreditation.
Further information on the project can be obtained by contacting Mr Geoff Stapleton on (+61) 02 4457 3057.
Developing Regional Competency Standards for Renewable Energy Training
Eight proposals were considered for funding at the fifth meeting of the Regional Partnerships Scheme (RPS) Joint Selection and Review Panel (JSRP) Meeting in Jakarta during February 2005. Attended by ASEAN Secretariat and AusAID delegates, with representatives of the RPS Australian Managing Contractor, ACIL Australia Pty Ltd, the meeting approved the following new partnership projects:
● Advanced Training in Intellectual
Property Search and Examination Procedures for IP Offices in the ASEAN Region;
● Statistical Capacity Building for
Harmonisation of ASEAN International Trade in Goods and Services; and
● Operationalise Guidelines on
Responsible Movement of Live Food Finfish.
Two other projects were approved at the sixth JSRP Meeting in May 2005 in Melbourne:
● Regional Training Programme for
Capital Market Development
● Strengthening Aquatic Animal Health
Capacity and Biosecurity in ASEAN.
These five projects are the first batch that have been developed to implement actions under the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP), which was endorsed at the 10th ASEAN Summit in November 2004.
The sixth JSRP also discussed the initial outcomes of the AADCP Mid Term Review, particularly in regard to the development of priority sectors under the VAP for the targeting of future RPS funding.
At the conclusion of these two funding rounds, the JSRP has committed over AUD 6.7 million to date, with almost AUD 3.7 million remaining for future funding rounds. The next JSRP Meeting is scheduled for September 2005. Interested parties should visit the RPS website to obtain application forms and guidelines, the listing of the VAP priority sectors and information on submission deadlines.
The 5th JSRP Meeting in Jakarta on 23 February 2005 was attended by representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat (JSRP co-chair), AusAID (JSRP co-chair)
The Second Meeting of the Program Stream Program Coordination Committee (PCC) was held in Jakarta on 22 March 2005. Representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat, AusAID, the projects' Regional Focal Points and the Australian Managing Contractor, ACIL Australia, attended the meeting.
The PCC was updated on the achievements in the three Round 2 projects which had commenced in August 2004, and the four Round 1 projects, which had completed their first year. All seven projects have reached a significant level of activity.
PCC Meetings are held in Jakarta six-monthly and co-chaired by AusAID and the ASEAN Secretariat. The next meeting will be held in September 2005. It will be
attended by all project stakeholders and focus on information sharing regarding project achievements and issues, as well as overall Program Stream review.
The ASEAN members will arrive in time for meetings on the previous day. The pre-meetings will consist of individual project meetings in the morning, followed by a plenary meeting in the afternoon of all ASEAN PCC participants.
AADCP Newsletter No. 3 announced a planned Program Stream project to promote the use of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) procedures to enhance the quality and safety of ASEAN's fishery products -especially in the SME sector. The internationally recognised HACCP food safety system is expected to facilitate fish exports in the region and globally, as well as improving food safety for domestic consumers.
The project is coordinated by the ASEAN Fisheries Post Harvest Technology Network (AFPHTN) under the auspices of the ASEAN Working Group on Fisheries. The Australian Implementing Partner is Australian Marine Science and Technology Ltd (AMSAT) in association with the Australian Maritime College and the Marine Fisheries Research Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre (SEAFDEC).
Project implementation commenced in early 2004. To encourage application of the HACCP system, a comprehensive manual for locally adapted HACCP training was prepared and a Train-the-Trainers course was held in Myanmar in September 2004. These trainers are now
implementing training programs in their home countries.
To determine the sources of food safety hazards, a Hazards and Controls workshop was held in Vietnam in August 2004. Delegates selected a series of at-risk fish products requiring detailed investigations. Systematic verification studies are underway to assess the extent and risk of the safety hazards for these specific, processed, fish products. Six ASEAN countries are carrying out these studies with support from the project team. The aim is to quantify the risk and identify Critical Control Points, so that hazard minimisation can be planned. An ASEAN guidebook on fish product hazards and controls will be prepared and distributed.
The third strand of the project entails encouragement of effective national strategies to enhance the safety of fish products. To spread best practice and encourage sharing of experience a National Strategies Workshop will be conducted in Cambodia in May 2005. A follow up workshop on audit and verification of national HACCP programs will be held in late 2005.
The project supports Vientiane Action Programme objectives for upgrading post harvest handling of produce and harmonisation of standards to ensure more competitive trade.
There is particular emphasis on promoting HACCP systems in domestic fishing industries, including fish processing SMEs, especially in the newer ASEAN member states (CLMV).
Second Meeting of the Program Stream Program Coordination
Committee
ASEAN Pre-Meeting chaired by Dr Linda Posadas.
Participants at the Second Program Stream PCC Meeting. Co-chairs Dr Linda Posadas and Ms Debbie Bowman in front (2nd and 3rd from left).
Fish processing facility used in HACCP Training of Trainers Course in Yangon, Myanmar.
Photo by AMSAT Ltd
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Many REPSF studies suggest policy options which will promote private business. In this issue, we feature three recent examples.
Promoting Efficient and Competitive
Intra-ASEAN Shipping Services
Maritime transport is crucial to the economic life of South East Asia. PDP Australia in collaboration with Meyrick and Associates examined how the full potential of shipping could be realised in the region.
Based on an assessment of the current strengths and weaknesses of the sector across all ten member countries, the project developed a Draft Road Map for
improving performance and fostering regional integration of shipping services. In keeping with the Bali Concord II, the proposed Draft Road Map includes both liberalization and cooperation measures, which are grouped around five key themes:
● Developing the capacity of ASEAN to
express a single coherent policy position on maritime matters of common interest to ASEAN countries;
● Ensuring that transport infrastructure
supports the effective and efficient operation of intra-ASEAN shipping services;
● Developing a single integrated ASEAN
shipping market in which all ASEAN
operators can operate without restriction;
● Increasing the effectiveness of the
single ASEAN shipping market by ensuring that competition takes place on equitable terms and conditions; and
● Enhancing the management capacity
and technologies required within ASEAN to manage shipping and port operations safely, efficiently and in an environmentally acceptable manner.
Steve Meyrick, the team leader, was invited to the 9th ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand on 3 March 2005 to present their assessment and proposed road map.
ASEAN – Australia Development Cooperation Program
REPSF Providing Policy Support for ASEAN Shipping, Airlines and SMEs
Strategic Directions for ASEAN
Airlines in a Globalising World
Open Sky in ASEAN by 2015 is a target set in “The Roadmap for the Integration of ASEAN: Competitive Air Services Policy”, endorsed by ASEAN Transport Ministers in October 2003. An earlier REPSF study identified options for the transition to Open Sky. This project continues that work with more specific proposals for complementary policy changes.
The move to Open Sky needs to be complemented by the development of new competition policy and consumer protection regimes. The Low Cost Carrier growth also draws attention to a range of those types of issues. The management of state aid is a further topic of interest. Various forms of state aid are now common and new requests for support may arise as the adjustments anticipated
come about. With the strong expected growth in demand in the region, some adjustment and change among existing carriers is to be expected. New equity, including via foreign investment, is likely to be critical to success in that process. Options to accommodate this investment are therefore important talking points.
A policy package consisting of regulatory reform and capacity building was developed by ASEAN and Australian experts led by Prof. Christopher Findlay of the Asia Pacific School of Economics and Government at the Australian National University.
Presentation of Prof. Christopher Findlay at the 11th ASEAN Air Transport Working Group Meeting held in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam on 30 March 2005.
SME Access to Finance: Addressing
Supply-Side Prerequisites
The promotion of SME growth and competitiveness can be expected to yield increasing social and economic returns domestically and to empower the private sector in its ongoing integration into the global economy. However, the process has been constrained by the limited availability and accessibility of financial resources to meet a variety of operational and investment needs. Recognizing this, the ASEAN SME Working Group (SMEWG) commissioned a study to look into the supply-side constraints of SME access to finance.
RAM Consultancy Services Sdn Bhd, the Malaysian-based consultant for this project, shared their findings and recommendations at the 16th ASEAN SME Agencies Working Group Meeting on 26 May 2005 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Suggested initiatives to improve access to financing include improving the credit guarantee mechanism, promoting greater engagement of non-bank financial institutions in SME lending, establishing SME units in financial institutions, developing evaluation techniques including credit scoring or relationship banking as appropriate to each country
On land and at sea, water is a unifying theme in ASEAN's development. Ensuring the quality of both land-based and marine water resources is fundamental for human health, food security, the economy and the environment. Effective safety standards for fishery products are essential both for health and trade. As one of the world's great archipelago systems, ASEAN countries depend widely on sea transport services and foresee economic benefit in streamlining these. This newsletter profiles some water-related activities supported by AADCP.
Development of the ASEAN
Strategic Plan of Action on Water
Resources Management
Although water resources are a national responsibility, ASEAN sees value in a regional water strategy to deal with the common challenges that its member countries face. The Vientiane Action Programme (2004-2010) aims to ensure that people have enough water of acceptable quality for health, food security, economic growth and environmental sustainability, taking into account the strong linkage between water, health and poverty.
The ASEAN Working Group on Water Resource Management (AWGWRM) is seeking to promote better water management practices, bearing in mind future increases in demand, the potential
for extreme events (floods, droughts), the effects of climate change, and the scope for improving governance. Priorities include: effective water resources management, particularly in the agricultural and irrigation sectors, through education and learning; development of integrated water resources management strategies for ASEAN countries in line with UN Millennium Development Goals; the impact and amelioration of extreme events on the region in areas such as food security, infrastructure and the environment; integrated land use planning aimed at minimising pollution in rivers; and increasing long term awareness, knowledge and community participation in integrated water resources management through education and specifically targeted programs.
AADCP-RPS has committed AUD372,521 to a project to assess the current state of water resources management in ASEAN member countries and develop an ASEAN Strategic Plan on Water Resources Management taking account of economic, social and environmental factors. Project partners include the CSIRO Land and Water division, the AWGWRM, the Global Water Partnership Southeast Asia (GWP SEA) and the ASEAN Secretariat. The project timeframe is February 2004 to May 2005.
In October 2004 a workshop was held in Bangkok where member countries built networks and actively contributed ideas, issues and possible solutions relevant to water resources management in their country. Aspects of community, culture, politics, industry, the environment and geographical location were explored. From this data, a list of regional projects was prioritised as a means of taking the strategies forward. These relate to supply and demand issues, integrated water resource management, water quality and sanitation, dealing with extreme events, and capacity building and governance.
A final report will submitted shortly, including possible funding sources for follow-up activities and mechanisms for countries to work collaboratively to implement the plan.
Maintaining the Coastal and
Marine Environment
ASEAN's Vientiane Action Programme (2004-2010) calls for stronger protection and management of coastal zones, using the ASEAN Marine Water Quality Criteria
to safeguard aquatic life and human health in coastal areas. The ASEAN Working Group on Coastal and Marine Environment (AWGCME), under the guidance of ASEAN Environment Ministers, has adopted progressive standards for marine water quality and is looking to harmonise and implement these.
An AADCP-RPS project titled “Capacity Building for Implementation of the ASEAN Marine Water Quality Criteria” aims to help member countries develop expertise and mechanisms for this purpose. The Australian Coordinating Partner is Australian Marine Science and Technology Ltd (AMSAT), working with AWGCME and the ASEAN Secretariat. The project has a budget of AUD485,083 and runs from December 2003 to June 2005.
To assist in strategic planning, the project has sponsored a detailed study of each ASEAN member country's laws and standards for marine water quality. Completed after extensive peer review, this report offers clear recommendations on steps to harmonise implementation of the criteria throughout ASEAN.
A capacity building workshop held in Malaysia in March-April 2004 was attended by 18 participants involved in marine water quality monitoring, from all ASEAN countries except land-locked Laos. The workshop provided training in program design, field sampling and measurement techniques. It also reviewed draft water quality criteria and agreed on arrangements for model implementation trials.
The project has since completed a review of monitoring programs in each country to identify best practice. Inter-comparison trials have enabled laboratories testing for heavy metals and nutrients to compare their performance with their ASEAN counterparts. A final workshop is planned to present the project findings to the AWGCME and develop a strategy for further implementation of the ASEAN Marine Water Quality Criteria.
Water - A Shared Focus of ASEAN Development
aadcp
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ASEAN – Australia Development Cooperation Program
The protection is ASEAN’s water resources is critical for regional growth and development. Photo by Sommay S, provided through the ASEAN Photo Competition 2004, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage Malaysia, the National Art
Gallery of Malaysia, and the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI).
AusAID has recently published the
Safe Water Guide for the Australian Aid Program 2005
June 2005
● 6th - 17th: Laboratory quality systems consultancy
under RPS Establishment of a Reference Laboratory for Southeast Asian Foot and Mouth Disease Control Program,Thailand
● 13th - 14th: Workshop on regulatory best practice
for cosmetics sector under PS Project
Strengthening ASEAN Standards Conformity Assessment Systems, Myanmar
● 13th - 14th: Project Inception Workshop under RPS
Establishment of a Reference Laboratory for Southeast Asian Foot and Mouth Disease Control Program, Thailand
● 16th - 17th: Workshop on regulatory best practice
for pharmaceutical sector under PS Project
Strengthening ASEAN Standards Conformity and Assessment Systems, Thailand
● 16th - 19th: Workshop to establish ASEAN Plus 3
laboratory based surveillance system and a network of reference laboratories under RPS Project ASEAN Emerging and Resurging Infections: Surveillance and Response Program, Malaysia
● 28th: Regional Workshop to discuss Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam's (CLMV) National Development Models under PS Project
Strengthening ASEAN Standards Conformity and Assessment Systems, Laos
● Food Safety and Quality Assurance Workshop
under PS Project Quality Assurance Systems for ASEAN Fruit and Vegetables, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam
July 2005
● 4th - 8th: Workshop to develop Draft Country
Implementation Plans to achieve effective transition to the agreed best practice cargo processing arrangements under PS Project Enhanced Customs Capacity Building in ASEAN, Cambodia
● 5th- 8th: ISO/IEC Guide 61 and 65 Training Course
under the PS Project Strengthening ASEAN Standards Conformity Assessment Systems, Cambodia
● 12th - 15th: ISO/IEC Guide 61 and 65 Training
Course under PS Project Strengthening ASEAN Standards Conformity and Assessment Systems, Vietnam.
● 18th: Implementation Guidelines Workshop under
PS Project Legal Infrastructure for E-Commerce in ASEAN, Malaysia
● 18th - 19th: Regional Economic Support Facility
(REPSF) Research Priorities Committee Meeting, Indonesia
● Late: Workshop to present Draft Strategic Plan to
Joint Task Forum for Tourism Development under the RPS Project Developing ASEAN Common Competency Standards for Tourism Professionals, Philippines
August 2005
● 2nd - 4th: ISO/IEC Lab Accreditation Training
Course under PS Project Strengthening ASEAN Standards Conformity Assessment Systems, Malaysia
● 8th - 12th: Standards Development and
Internationalisation Train the Trainer Workshop under PS Project Strengthening ASEAN Standards Conformity and Assessment Systems, Indonesia
● 9th - 11th: ISO/IEC Lab Accreditation Training Course under the PS Project Strengthening ASEAN Standards Conformity and Assessment Systems, Singapore
● 29th Aug - 2nd Sept: Standards Development and Internationalisation Train the Trainer Workshop under PS Project Strengthening ASEAN Standards Conformity and Assessment Systems, Singapore
● Late: Post Harvest Workshop, under PS Project
Quality Assurance Systems for ASEAN Fruit and Vegetables, Brunei
Septeber 2005
● 19th - 23rd: Standards Development and
Internationalisation Train the Trainer Workshop under PS Project Strengthening ASEAN Standards Conformity and Assessment Systems, Philippines
● 26th Sept - 1 Oct: Training workshop to use the evaluation tools and processes, under RPS Project
Development of Evaluation Framework and Impact Assessment Tools for ASEAN (COST) Programmes and Projects, Indonesia
● Mid: Program Stream - Third Program Coordination Committee (PCC) Meeting, Jakarta
● Mid: Regional Partnerships Scheme - Seventh Joint
Selection and Review Panel Meeting, Jakarta
● Project presentation under PS Project Enhancing Skills Recognition Systems in ASEAN, Indonesia
● Information Training System Workshop under the
PS Project Strengthening Animal Health and Biosecurity in ASEAN, Laos
The timing of the activities listed above is subject to change.
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events
contacts
RPS
Maria Eloida Cruz Balamiento Project Coordinator
The ASEAN Secretariat, Second Floor 70A Jl. Sisingamangaraja
Jakarta 12110 INDONESIA
Tel. +62 21 724-3372, 726-2991 ext. 150 Fax +62 21 7278-7252
Email: m.balamiento@aseansec.org Sarah Hamilton
Project Manager ACIL Australia Pty Ltd 854 Glenferrie Road
Hawthorn Vic 3122 AUSTRALIA Tel. +61 3 9819 2877
Fax +61 3 9819 4216
Email: sarah.hamilton@acil.com.au
Program Stream
Susan Majid
Acting Executive Program Director ACIL Australia Pty Ltd
854 Glenferrie Road
Hawthorn Vic 3122 AUSTRALIA Tel. +61 3 9819 2877
Fax +61 3 9819 4216
Email: susan.majid@acil.com.au Tracey Johnson
Acting Program Manager ACIL Australia Pty Ltd 854 Glenferrie Road
Hawthorn Vic 3122 AUSTRALIA Tel. +61 3 9819 2877
Fax +61 3 9819 4216
Email: tracey.johnson@acil.com.au
REPSF
John Cunningham Facility Coordinator
The ASEAN Secretariat, Ground Floor 70A Jl. Sisingamangaraja
Jakarta 12110 INDONESIA
Tel. +62 21 724-3372, 726-2991 ext. 411 Fax +62 21 722-9028
Email: john@aseansec.org Shelagh Pepper
Melbourne University Private Ltd 442 Auburn Road
Hawthorn VIC 3122 AUSTRALIA
Tel. +61 3 9810 3205
Fax. +61 3 9810 3100
Email: s.pepper@muprivate.edu.au
