by Irene Wijaya | Nov 1, 2016 | Investment, Technical Reports
This Policy Paper highlights key recommended policy orientations to boost ASEAN’s competitiveness competitiveness with regard to outsourcing of goods and services and the rise of global value chains (GVCs). Firstly, it defines the context and introduces some key definitions relevant to outsourcing. Secondly, it presents a brief overview of services outsourcing trends in recent decades. Thirdly, it considers ASEAN competitiveness by analysing the new trade in value-added (TiVA) database, the constructed GVC Readiness Index, and modern global value chains. All together, this informs the final section of the Policy Paper, which analyses GVC related factors affecting ASEAN positioning and presents ASEAN-wide policy orientations post 2015. Outsourcing Opportunities in ASEAN: Policy...
by Irene Wijaya | Nov 1, 2016 | Investment, Technical Reports, Uncategorized
In order for ASEAN to enhance its attractiveness as an investment destination as envisioned in the AEC Blueprint 2025, ASEAN needs to boost its effort in investment promotion and facilitation. This paper aims to provide ASEAN Member States with a deeper understanding of regional and global ‘best practices’ in investment promotion and facilitation. This deeper understanding may be used to guide current or future initiatives, whether at the regional, national or sub-national level, in order to facilitate freer flow of capital and investment. Specifically, this paper identifies best practices and lessons learned in the four core functions of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs): promotion, attraction, facilitation and aftercare. It proposes and examine opportunities for development of practical initiatives in two areas that are potential areas for practical initiatives by AMS: 1) Formal & Informal Ambassadorial and cultural networks; and 2) private sector partnerships. Separate reports on each of these areas are available through the Services and Investment Division of the ASEAN Secretariat. Download: Best Practices for Investment Promotion and Facilitation in ASEAN: General Paper ...
by Irene Wijaya | Oct 13, 2016 | Connectivity, Projects
Status: Completed. This project will identify and recommend possible pathways and a roadmap to support the establishment of an ASEAN telecommunications single market, which is part of the Master Plan for ASEAN Connectivity. It will enable stakeholders of the ASEAN telecommunications industry to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the global, regional, the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Member States (AMS) market environments; by: (i) Conducting a study on the feasibility of establishing an ASEAN Telecommunications Single Market – the costs, benefits and risks; and (ii) Assessing AMS regulatory and industry readiness for an ASEAN Telecommunications Single Market – the issues, challenges and proposed measures to address them; and (iii) Formulating regulatory recommendations and a proposed roadmap and timeline for establishing an ASEAN Telecommunications Single Market. A report had been produced documenting the outcomes of the study. For more information on the report, please contact the ASEAN Secretariat ICT and Tourism Division....
by Irene Wijaya | Aug 24, 2016 | Consumer Protection, Technical Reports, Uncategorized
Public awareness campaigns are an important tool for consumer protection agencies to advance their policy goals. Though many countries have sound legal frameworks for consumer protection, consumer regulators are unable to be ‘everywhere at once’ to enforce the rules. Consumers’ awareness of their legal rights and ways of gaining redress and the steps they can take to protect their own self-interest and safety are an important adjunct to promoting a flourishing consumer marketplace. The aim of developing public awareness models for consumer protection in ASEAN is to offer a generic approach that can be adapted and applied by agencies in ASEAN Member States (AMS)to a range of environments and circumstances. The models need to be flexible to enable them to be adapted to various needs and contexts for implementation across all AMS, recognising the cultural and economic differences between countries in the region. This report comprise of two document: Consumer Education Models. This document presents three different Models that target the different resource capacities and experiences of consumer protection agencies within ASEAN. The models AMS intentionally presented at a broad level to account for the different priority areas that each AMS may have for consumer education. The models are not intended to constrain adaptation and innovation. The broad level of the models also allows for them to remain applicable to AMS as conditions and priorities change. The Models are designed to be tailored to a range of contexts, and to be implemented by regulatory bodies, consumer agencies and NGOs. The Guidelines. This document complements the Models. It is designed to help individual AMS plan a consumer protection initiative. To...
by Irene Wijaya | Jul 28, 2016 | Agriculture, Projects
Status: Completed The ASEAN Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry has endorsed the ASEAN Agricultural Best Practices, which consist of Good Agriculture Practices for Fruits and Vegetables (endorsed in 2006), Good Animal Husbandry Practices for Broilers and Layers (endorsed in 2014) and the Good Aquaculture Practices for Food Fish (endorsed in 2014) as guidelines to improve quality assurance, enhance quality of products, and minimise hazards in food safety, environmental impacts, and worker health, safety and welfare. In addition, a number of ASEAN standards in agriculture products such as those for organic agriculture and horticultural produce have been developed. As a priority area for integration, the harmonization of standards and trade certifications are expected to enhance trade among ASEAN Member States (AMS) as well as promote long-term competitiveness in the global market of agricultural products from ASEAN. Adoption of these standards by AMS is not mandatory, but they serve as benchmarks for AMS in developing or improving their own agricultural practice standards. Beyond the benefits in food safety and farmer’s health and welfare, ASEAN sees the need for establishing an efficient mechanism for implementing the standards both at the national and regional level. As agricultural standards and guidelines are important in the procurement and risk reduction processes, the presence of a regionally recognised and acceptable mechanism to support their operationalisation will increase the chances of AMS to hook up with the regional as well global agrifoods value chain. This mechanism will define how the ASEAN standards are applied and operationalized, at the national and the regional level, by various relevant institutions at both level, through new or existing regional institutions and...
