With another three years to go until 2015, ASEAN is now at a critical juncture in realizing the ASEAN Economic Community. This broader collaboration has broadened and deepened our understanding of private sector support to the ASEAN integration process.
Trade Facilitation
The committee, which consists of senior officials from standards and regulatory related agencies and institutions in AMS, provides guidance in the formulation of policies and recommendations on the harmonization of standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures. To meet the requirements of ATIGA for the harmonization of standards and regulatory measures, ACCSQ is supported by three main working groups covering standards, accreditation and conformity assessment and legal metrology.
ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA)
Key Achievements in ATIGA
Tariff Liberalisation
Addressing Non-Tariff Barriers
Self-Certification System
Enhancement of CEPT Rules of Origin (ROO) Requirements
ASEAN Customs Modernisation
Customs Modernisation and Integration
ASEAN Single Window (ASW)
Conformity Assessment in ASEAN
ASEAN Sectoral MRAs
Harmonising Standards and Technical Regulations
Alignment with International Standards and Practices
Harmonisation of Standards
These include agricultural products, cosmetics, fisheries, pharmaceuticals, rubber-based products, wood products, automotive, construction, medical devices, traditional medicine and health sectors.
Harmonisation of Technical Regulations
ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS)
What Has Been Achieved?
Starting with the fifth package, an AFAS package will contain all commitments existing by ASEAN member states under the World Trade Organization (WTO), under earlier AFAS packages, and enhanced or new commitments made in the current package. As a result, stakeholders will have complete information on the service commitment made by ASEAN member states in both the WTO and AFAS by reading the latest AFAS package.
The Latest AFAS Commitments
These packages are implemented via protocols signed by the AEM and provide details of liberalization of the service sub-sectors where commitments are made. In addition to these AFAS packages, there were also five packages of financial services commitments signed by ASEAN finance ministers (see http:// . www.asean.org/19833.htm) and seven packages for air transport services signed by ASEAN Transport are Ministers (see http://www.asean.org/19867.htm).
Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRA) in Services
ASEAN MRA in Services
The MRA on Tourism Professionals was adopted at the 12th ASEAN Tourism Ministers' Meeting (MATM) in 2009 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Various mechanisms are in place to manage the implementation of MRAs in the service sector to ensure that professionals in the ASEAN region benefit tangibly from the agreements.
ASEAN Comprehensive
Investment Agreement (ACIA)
It aims to increase intra-ASEAN investment, especially by multinational companies, and encourage expansion by small and medium-sized enterprises, to contribute to the economic growth and integration of the ASEAN region.
Financial Integration in the ASEAN Economic Community
Financial Services Liberalisation
Capital Account Liberalisation
ASEAN member countries have completed the assessment and adoption of rules for freer flows of foreign direct investment, portfolio investment and other types of flows and have begun similar assessment exercises for restrictions on repatriation.
Capital Market Development
East Asian Financial Stability and Integration
Strengthening Regional Economic Surveillance and Monitoring
ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry (FAF)
The ASEAN Multisectoral Framework on Climate Change: Agriculture and Forestry towards Food Security (AFCC) as adopted by the 31st AMAF Meeting in 2009 validated the AIFS and SPA-FS Framework based on the close links between food security and impacts of climate change. Good progress has been observed in the implementation of the AFCC through collaborative initiatives with dialogue and development partners related to climate change, namely the German-ASEAN Climate Change Response Programme: Agriculture, Forestry and Related Sectors (GAP-CC).
Challenges and Future Outlook
Activities included capacity building in agricultural production, post-harvest handling, training and extension, research and development in the fields of crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry. By implementing various measures under the AEC towards 2015, efforts should be made to examine the synergy and coordination of various initiatives that contribute to the building of the ASEAN community in the food, agriculture and forestry sector.
ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework
The second AMAF-Private Sector Dialogue on Food Security was held on 27 September 2012 in Vientiane. The interlinkages of food security and bioenergy have been addressed in the framework of the ASEAN Plus Three Comprehensive Strategy on Food Security and Bioenergy Development (APTCS-FSBD).
Public Private Partnerships
Food Safety
Key Measures Ensuring Food Safety
General standards for the production and packaging of mango, pineapple, durian, papaya, grapefruit, rambutan, guava, lansium, mandarin, mangosteen, watermelon, young coconut, banana, garlic, shallot, jackfruit, cucumber, melon and salacca have been adopted to ensure the quality and freshness of these products. ASEAN has also endorsed a total of 49 harmonized standards for animal vaccines, 13 criteria for the accreditation of livestock establishments and three criteria for the accreditation of livestock products.
Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS)
With the aim of establishing food safety assurance systems, significant progress has been made in other important areas affecting food safety. ASEAN is strengthening its GM food testing network, developing guidelines for good shrimp management practices, developing a code of conduct for responsible fisheries, and implementing hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) for fish and fishery products production.
Tackling the Threat of Avian Influenza
Climate Change
Sectoral progress in climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies has been made in agriculture in general. Important outcomes and recommendations of the Assembly, especially the Draft Comprehensive ASEAN Multisectoral Strategic Plan on Climate Change and Food Security;.
Challenges and Way Forward
Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)
Strengthening forest law enforcement and management to improve the long-term competitiveness of ASEAN's forest products will play a key role in improving the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities and reducing poverty across the region. The ASEAN C&I for Legality of Timber provides regional reference for the verification of timber legality in ASEAN, particularly in the region's timber producing countries.
Competition Policy in ASEAN
The ASEAN Experts Group on Competition (AEGC)
For advocacy and outreach purposes, the launch of the guidelines and handbook was followed by regional socialization workshops in various AMSs with government officials and the private sector as the intended beneficiaries. These two publications and subsequent workshops were designed to help promote a level playing field, raise awareness about fair business competition between regional and transnational companies, and ultimately improve the economic performance and competitiveness of the ASEAN region.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Consumer Protection in the ASEAN Economic Community
The ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection (ACCP)
The ACCP is a sectoral body established to oversee consumer protection and will address capacity building needs at regional and national levels. Globalization and regional integration will bring additional considerations and challenges related to consumer protection that must be managed by all AMSs.
ASEAN Cooperation in Intellectual Property Rights
ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation
There is a significant gap between ASEAN-6 and ASEAN-4 (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam). Efforts have therefore been made to implement an "ASEAN-help-ASEAN" approach wherever possible, including in the exchange of policy lessons learned by member states from signing international treaties and implementing programs to protect IPRs.
ASEAN Cooperation in the Transport Sector
The Transit Transport Coordination Board (TTCB) is the main body responsible for the overall coordination and implementation of the transport facilitation agreements. The acceleration of the implementation of the AHN project, and especially the completion of the missing sections, will play an important role in improving the quality of road infrastructure in the ASEAN member states.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) — Creating an
Focus and Progress — ASEAN ICT Master Plan 2015
Infrastructure Development To advance ASEAN's status as an inclusive and vibrant ICT hub, ASEAN. The regionally owned domain name — dot ASEAN (.asean) — will be examined for its potential contribution to regional visibility and the creation of the ASEAN Economic Community's internal market and production base.
Other ICT Connectivity Policies and Projects
Other key projects are being developed to promote e-commerce, establish a CA-CA (Certificate Authority) Interoperability Framework in ASEAN, and reduce mobile roaming costs in the region. The ASEAN ICT Fund will continue to be used to support the implementation of the AIM2015 and to encourage resource mobilization from dialogue partners, international organizations and the ICT industry.
Ensuring Energy Security in ASEAN
Overall Objective and Strategy
Focus and Progress
Member countries agreed to strengthen intra-ASEAN coal trade and promote cleaner coal technology. The Sub-Sectoral Network for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (NEC-SSN) was established to promote cooperation among ASEAN Member States in the development of nuclear energy in the region.
Tourism in the ASEAN Economic Community
ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP)
The ASEAN Tourism Promotion Chapter (APCT) in Australia held major tourism consumer shows in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney to coordinate joint tourism promotion activities for ASEAN.
AEC Tourism Standards
ASEAN Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
The first joint consultation between the ASEAN SME Advisory Committee; consisting of ASEAN SME agency heads and prominent private sector representatives, ASEAN Economic Ministers convened together with the 44th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting in August 2012. Ministers took note of the recommendations presented by the SMEAB and pledged their commitment k The development of small and medium-sized enterprises will be one of the priority areas in the efforts to build the AEC until 2015 and beyond.
Public-Private Sector Engagement (PPE) in the ASEAN Economic
Community
Regular business dialogues that ASEAN has had with the private sector include dialogues with the Federation of Japanese Chambers of Commerce and Industry in ASEAN (FJCCIA), the East Asia Business Council (EABC), the US-ASEAN Business Advisory Council ( USA-ABC); and the EU-ASEAN Business Council. Following the successful model of the Business Council mentioned above, ASEAN-based Business Councils have recently been established, namely UK-ASEAN Business Council, Canada-ASEAN Business Council and Russia-ASEAN Business Council.
Business Summits and Trade Expositions
Ongoing dialogue between ASEAN representatives and the private sector has produced several important recommendations in support of more effective ASEAN economic integration. ASEAN has also held discussions with representatives of the logistics services industry, electronics and electricity, and the pharmaceutical sector.
Moving Forward
CEOs from the region and the world, ASEAN-BIS 2012 is the premier platform to share insight, expertise and feedback on ASEAN's economic development. New Opportunities, New Drivers and a New Phase' to mark the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership and the 10th anniversary of CAEXPO.
Initiative for ASEAN Integration and Narrowing the Development
Promoting Public and Private Sector Dialogues in the Sub-regions
Formal consultations with the private sector and regional authorities are encouraged to help formulate new and innovative strategies to maximize the dynamic contribution of the private sector to regional integration. The AEC is a market-driven process and therefore requires the active participation of the private sector to promote public-private policy dialogue and improve public-private partnership schemes, which are essential to attract investment to the sub-regions.
ASEAN Business Councils
BIMP-EAST ASEAN Growth Areas of Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines Business Council (BEBC): The BEBC was established in November 1994 in Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines as the official private sector representative of the BIMP-EAGA region. ASEAN-BAC has been mandated by ASEAN leaders as the official ASEAN linkage to provide private sector feedback and guidance to drive ASEAN's economic integration efforts.
ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA)
Free Flow of Goods
The rules of origin for the ASEAN-China Free Trade Zone follow a general rule of 40% regional value content, with 527 tariff lines at the 6-digit level subject to product-specific rules. The ACFTA Rules of Origin are currently being revised to make it more liberal to encourage greater business use of the ACFTA.
Free Flow of Services
Free Flow of Investment
ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP)
Tariff Reduction and Elimination
Rules of Origin
Services and Investment
Dispute Settlement Mechanism
Overall Benefits
ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area (AKFTA)
Trade in Goods
Trade in Services
Investment
ASEAN-India Free Trade Area
Free Trade in Goods
ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA)
Obligations under the AANZFTA Agreement
Schedules of specific commitments relating to trade in goods (tariffs), trade in services (including financial services and telecommunication services) and the movement of natural persons are annexed to the AANZFTA Agreement.
Benefits of the AANZFTA Agreement
