by Kaisar | Apr 15, 2015 | Investment, Technical Reports
The ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) came into effect on 29 March 2012 to support a free, open, transparent and integrated investment regime in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region in line with the goal of achieving an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015. This Guidebook aims to assist potential businesses and investors, both domestic and foreign, as well as those who already have their operations in ASEAN by providing an understanding of the ACIA and what it means to their investments. It explains the provisions of the ACIA and highlights how this would be beneficial to investors and their investments. Created for Businesses and Investors, it aims to help investors, businesses, executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals —domiciled both inside and outside of ASEAN — to have a better understanding of ACIA....
by Kaisar | Apr 13, 2015 | Opportunities, Tenders
I. Background The Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) provides a policy framework to support the participation of ASEAN’s newer member states (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam or CLMV) in the ASEAN integration process. The IAI Work Plan II (2009-2015) currently being implemented reflects key programme areas under the three ASEAN Community Blueprints. The IAI Work Plan II is now in its last year of implementation. As such, there is a need to start formulating a new IAI Work Plan with the target of submitting the Work Plan to the ASEAN Leaders for adoption in early 2016. The Post-2015 IAI Work Plan will take into consideration the strengths and weaknesses in the drafting process and implementation of the current and past Work Plans, as well as the relevant recommendations of the mid-term review of the IAI Work Plan II. The direct stakeholders of the project are Senior Government Officials of CLMV, the IAI Task Force and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration & Narrowing the Development Gap (IAI&NDG) Division of the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC). The new Work Plan will be designed to better serve the strategic needs of CLMV countries and provide a roadmap for the regional bodies between now and ASEAN Communities establishment in 2015, and beyond. Senior Government Officials of CLMV would play a key role in drafting the new Work Plan, so that it reflects their respective national strategic plans and priorities. The process of developing the Post-2015 IAI Work Plan will be participatory and consultative in order to ensure CLMV engagement at a strategic level, promote ownership down to the relevant ministries at the national...
by Kaisar | Mar 13, 2015 | Consumer Protection, Technical Reports
As online consumer marketplace grows at a rapid rate and offers considerable potential economic and consumer benefits, the regulation will need closer attention. Further, consumer protection faces increasing challenges with mobile money environment and the rapidly changing technology. To address these challenges, ASEAN held its first ASEAN Consumer Protection Conference (1st ACPC) from 8-9 December in Hanoi, Viet Nam. The Conference aims to be a platform for experts and relevant stakeholders to network and exchange experiences and best practices. The Conference generated fruitful discussions and exchange of views on the development of consumer protection in ASEAN and engendered discussions on the future direction of regional consumer trends and challenges. The 1st ACPC deliberated on a wide range of topics on current issues and challenges relating to financial transactions, consumer product safety, e-commerce and development of consumer redress mechanisms. Participants included government bodies handling consumer protection schemes, researchers, NGOs, private practitioners and business associations, and other relevant organisations involve in consumer protection enforcement. The Conference was organised under the auspices of the ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection and hosted by the Vietnam Competition Authority. Session 1: Emerging Themes in Consumer Protection in ASEAN Session 2: Financial Transactions Session 3: Consumer Product Safety Session 4: E-Commerce Session 5: Development of Consumer Redress Mechanism Session 6: Institutionalizing Consumer Protection in Developing Countries Session 7: Summary and Conclusions Related project: Supporting Research & Dialogue on Consumer...
by Kaisar | Mar 13, 2015 | Consumer Protection, Technical Reports
Consumer protection is an essential tool in building a people-oriented ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). The AEC prioritises the interests and welfare of consumers in the implementation of strategies for achieving an integrated economic region. Consumer protection laws must ensure fair competition and the free flow of information in the marketplace. ASEAN Member States have differing levels of administrative capacity, available resources, public and private sector culture and capacity to adapt. In addition, each has a different political and administrative system and so there is no single consumer complaints and redress system which will fit all countries. Rather, models based on principles which might be adapted to any system are a preferable approach to gaining adequate levels of consumer protection across all countries. The paper presents models for complaint handling systems and consumer redress schemes which may be suitable for implementation in the ASEAN Economic Community. This includes redress mechanism and complaint handling models for national consumer protection agencies, regulatory institutions, industry Ombudsmen, Small Claims Courts or Tribunals and for business complaint system operators. The models are based on identified international best practices and feedback from ASEAN Member States. Goals for complaint systems and redress schemes in ASEAN Member States: Enhancing the welfare of all ASEAN consumers Building a sound ASEAN economic community Promoting quality and accountability in business and government ASEAN Complaint and Redress Mechanism Models Guideline for the Selection and Implementation of the Complaint and Redress Mechanism Related project: Development of Complaint and Redress Mechanism Models in ASEAN...
by Kaisar | Feb 16, 2015 | Consumer Protection, Technical Reports
This Policy Guide is part of a broader project entitled, Supporting Research and Dialogue in Consumer Protection that aims to enhance knowledge and understanding of new and emerging consumer protection concerns and to make possible better policy directions through the synthesis of experiences and lessons learned. It is an essential part of a wider institutional capacity development for consumer protection and is a multi-dimensional challenge involving a full range of stakeholders, sectors and issues. Drawing on the expertise of consumer protection experts and academics, Consumer Protection Digests and Case Studies: A Policy Guide – Volume 1 presents 12 Policy Digests and two Case Studies that explore key consumer protection issues in the ASEAN context. The Policy Digests cover key issues relevant to consumer protection such as consumer credit and debt, product safety regulation, online purchasing, telecommunication services, unfair sales practices, product liability, responding to complaints about misleading information and practice with low-cost airlines, fraud in price discounting, statutory guarantees of quality in the supply of goods and services, and money transfer fraud. The Policy Digests also explore the interface between competition and consumer protection policies, as well as a specific focus on professional services markets. The Case Studies provide in-depth investigations into online consumer market and the regulation of unfair contract terms in ASEAN. These digests and case studies are intended to assist in the development and strengthening of consumer protection systems by highlighting and sharing information on key issues on emerging concerns. It is expected that these will contribute to raising awareness and stimulating dialogue among the business community, professional associations, and appropriate academic and non-government organisations to...
