by Irene Wijaya | Mar 21, 2022 | Cross Cutting Issues, Technical Reports
These series of infographics highlights the background and content of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF), which was adopted at the 37th ASEAN Summit in November 2020. Click the images to download the infographic series. Series 1: COVID-19 Impact and ASEAN Collective Response Series 2: the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) and its Implementation Plan Series 3: ACRF Broad Strategy 1: Enhancing Health Systems Series 4: ACRF Broad Strategy 2: Strengthening Human Security Series 5: ACRF Broad Strategy 3: Maximising the Potential of intra-ASEAN market Series 6: ACRF Broad Strategy 4: Inclusive Digital Transformation Series 7: ACRF Broad Strategy 4: Sustainable and Resilient Future Related project: Establishment of an ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) Support...
by Irene Wijaya | Mar 21, 2022 | Cross Cutting Issues, Projects
Status: Ongoing. The ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) and its Implementation Plan were endorsed at the 28th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting on 10 November 2020, and, subsequently, adopted by ASEAN Leaders at the 37th ASEAN Summit on 12 November 2020. The ACRF serves as ASEAN’s community-wide exit strategy from the COVID-19. It recognises the multifaceted impact of the pandemic, and the need to work together through the phases of recovery; from reopening, rebuilding and to long-term resilience. The ASEAN Secretariat will provide the necessary support to regularly monitor the progress of ACRF implementation of the identified initiatives and programmes against their corresponding outputs and deliverables. In addition, the ASEAN Secretariat will also support the updating of the Implementation Plan. The monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of ASEAN COVID-19 recovery is crucial to assess the effectiveness of the ACRF and its implementation plan, and will be undertaken by the ASEAN Secretariat, with possible external support. This project will support the ACRF monitoring and implementation, specifically through the establishment of an ACRF Support Unit, and the development and initial operationalisation of the ACRF Support Unit. It will support various activities to be undertaken by the Unit, including advocacy and awareness building activities, and analytical work to promote implementation of the ACRF. A series of infographics have been prepared through this project in the first quarter of 2022 to increase general awareness of the ACRF. View the infographics...
by Irene Wijaya | Mar 15, 2022 | MSME & private sector engagement, Technical Reports
The establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 has opened up numerous business opportunities for the regional community with its vision of ASEAN as a single market and production hub characterised by the free flow of goods, services, and investments, as well as a more liberal movement of capital and skills. The AEC Blueprint 2025 characterised by its objectives to create a highly integrated and cohesive economy and nurture a dynamic ASEAN through enhanced connectivity and sectoral cooperation. The blueprint envisaged greater participation of the business community especially the private sector and the community at large that will lead to a resilient and people-oriented ASEAN. ASEAN has been successful in broadening coverage and reducing limitations on market access through AEC. It is working towards establishment of ASEAN wide attractive investment regime and has been successful in paving the way through various agreements such as CEPT, ATIGA, AFAS and ATISA. Regular pulse checks on the integration efforts are crucial to ensure that the targeted objectives are met on timely fashion as well as identifying challenges that may be a hindrance to achieving the objectives. It is imperative to regularly solicit feedback from all the stakeholders especially the business communities which is the key beneficiary of the AEC efforts. The ASEAN Secretariat commissioned a survey to gather insights on the AEC implementation from the viewpoints of the ASEAN indigenous enterprises, which forms the backbone of the business ASEAN community. The survey focuses on the services sector, particularly financial, distribution, and tourism sector. The survey indicates that: Indigenous enterprises in general have a positive outlook on AEC. They acknowledged the...
by Irene Wijaya | Mar 8, 2022 | Cross Cutting Issues, Technical Reports
The e-commerce sector has proven to be a big driver of economic growth in ASEAN, with the size of ASEAN’s digital economy expected to reach 8.5% of the region’s GDP in 2025 as compared to 1.3% in 2015. This digitalisation trend is further accelerated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic – online transactions are increasingly becoming the norm given the frequent movement restrictions or ‘lock-downs’ imposed by governments in order to curtail the spread of the disease. ASEAN has long recognised the potential of e-commerce in the region. The initiative to implement an ASEAN Trust Mark Scheme was specifically set out in the 2020 ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) in recognition of the value it will bring in, amongst others, harmonising the ASEAN Member States governments’ respective e-commerce legislations and reducing uncertainty and cost of online transactions for consumers which will in turn bolster the volume of transactions with e-shops awarded under the Scheme. ASEAN has commissioned this Study to determine the costs and benefits of the Scheme, obtain an understanding of existing national trust mark mechanisms within ASEAN, and receive policy recommendations for operationalising the Scheme. This Study concludes that there is currently no operational regional e-commerce trust mark scheme at the ASEAN level, and that the characteristics, scope, degree of implementation, compliance and level of enforcement of national e-commerce-related trust mark schemes vary across the different AMS. This is notwithstanding that a regional e-commerce trust mark scheme will likely be beneficial to both consumers and e-shops. This Study recommends that the Scheme be operationalised as a dual-layered accreditation scheme, where a trusted regional body such as ASEAN (or...
by Irene Wijaya | Mar 8, 2022 | Cross Cutting Issues, Projects
Status: Completed. ASEAN recognizes the potential of e-commerce, as well as its importance in serving as a catalyst for economic recovery in light of the covid-19 pandemic. To reflect its importance, several initiatives in the area of e-commerce, including an ASEAN trust mark for e-commerce platforms, were included in the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF), which was adopted by ASEAN Leaders during the 37th Summit in 12-15 November 2020. The ASEAN Trust Mark Scheme for E-Commerce is essential to supporting the ASEAN governments to align their respective legislation on e-commerce with best practices to address the issues relating to legal compliance, data handling, consumer protection, and anti-counterfeiting. The ultimate goal of the project is to promote a trusted e-commerce environment across ASEAN by eliminating bad or unfair trade practices while strengthening protection for online commerce consumers. The project is expected to enable ASEAN in advancing the establishment of regional trust mark scheme by providing tailored practical recommendations on a comprehensive trust mark mechanism. The key objective of the Study is to assess the costs and benefits of implementing a potential ASEAN Trust Mark Scheme for E-Commerce (“Scheme”), provide an understanding of the existing national trust mark mechanisms within ASEAN, as well as provide policy options for the introduction of the Scheme for ASEAN Member States’ (AMS)...
