by Irene Wijaya | Sep 14, 2022 | Investment, Technical Reports
The ASEAN Investment Report (AIR) is an annual publication analysing investment trends and other related issues in the region. Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in ASEAN surged by 42% in 2021 to US$174 billion. This increase reached the pre-pandemic record level and reversed the decline in 2020 caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. The robust recovery underscores ASEAN’s resilience and attractiveness as a major investment destination in the world and as an engine of growth for FDI. The 2022 report provides a special focus on Investment Facilitation. ASEAN Member States (AMS) have undertaken significant investment facilitation efforts to attract and retain FDI over the years. AMS are stepping up this endeavour through the adoption of the ASEAN Investment Facilitation Framework (AIFF) in 2021, reflecting ASEAN’s commitment to further improve the investment environment and increasing the ease of investing and doing business in the region. This report provides an initial assessment of the AIFF implementation, concluding that the Member States have been actively engaged in facilitating investment but there is still more to do. The ASEAN Investment Report is prepared under a technical cooperation agreement between the ASEAN Secretariat and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, with inputs from members of the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Investment and support from the Government of Australia through the ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program Phase II. Download: ASEAN Investment Report (AIR) 2022: Pandemic Recovery and Investment Facilitation [8,177kB] Related project: ASEAN Investment Report...
by Irene Wijaya | Jul 27, 2022 | MSME & private sector engagement, Technical Reports, Uncategorized
Micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of ASEAN economies and thus critical for post-COVID-19 recovery and future socio economic resilience. MSMEs account for over 97% of all firms, 85% of the labour force, about 45% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and between 10% and 30% of the total exports of ASEAN economies. However, MSMEs face significant challenges that hinder their development and, in some cases, their survival. They face barriers accessing finance, attracting talent, reaching markets and innovating, among other areas. Because of these constraints on resources and capacity, they tend to be more vulnerable to crises and disasters. The regional guidelines “enhancing the resilience of MSMEs to crises and disasters” provide a foundational framework for ASEAN policy-makers to build the resilience of MSMEs. The guidelines provide information on how the relevant agencies in ASEAN Member States can identify resources, determine roles and responsibilities, establish coordination mechanisms and include disaster risk management in existing or new policies and regulations. Click image or link to download: Enhancing the Resilience of MSMEs to Crises and Disasters: Regional Guidelines for ASEAN Governments [PDF, 4,000 kb] Related project: Development of Regional Guidelines on MSMEs Crisis and Disaster...
by Irene Wijaya | May 10, 2022 | Energy and Minerals, Technical Reports
The minerals sector is a major economic contributor to ASEAN Member States (AMS), many of which are rich in mineral resources, as evidenced by past mineral resource discovery and current production. Cooperation in minerals is a key component of a pan-ASEAN strategy that will enable AMS to work together to build minerals investment, grow the minerals sector, expand trade and ensure sustainable approaches to minerals development. This report assesses current ASEAN minerals development and cooperation in the context of global markets and minerals industry developments. It also informs the design of the ASEAN Minerals Cooperation Action Plan (AMCAP-III Phase 2). The AMCAP-III Phase 2 will activate and guide cooperation between AMS to achieve their goals in minerals, working with dialogue and development partners, the minerals industry, and civil society and other non-government organisations. This report included recommendations for enhanced ASEAN cooperation in minerals which extend the current priorities, led by strategies for boosting investment, production and trade in minerals, driving sustainable minerals development, building capacity in minerals governance and providing high quality minerals information. Download the DPAMC Report [2,701 kb, PDF] Related project: Strengthening ASEAN Cooperation in...
by Irene Wijaya | Apr 21, 2022 | Energy and Minerals, Technical Reports
Space cooling is the fastest-growing use of energy in buildings globally and in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Electricity use for cooling in buildings across the region has increased dramatically over the past decades. Yet today, only 15% of households in Southeast Asia have an air conditioner; fans represent around another 9% of residential energy use. With continued economic development and population growth across the region, the International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that air conditioner ownership across the ASEAN Member States (AMS) will continue to grow. This growth could see electricity demand from space cooling in the region grow to 300 TWh in 2040 – approximately equivalent to the total electricity consumption of Indonesia and Singapore combined. The Roadmap towards Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Space Cooling in ASEAN focuses on the policy tools available for AMS to drive energy efficiency improvements for space cooling. It sets ambitious milestones for space cooling technologies, including air conditioners and fans, that can help guide the ambitions outlined in this roadmap and subsequent action across ASEAN. Download the Report [PDF, 11,513 pb] This report is the output of project: Roadmaps Towards Sustainable and Energy Efficient Buildings and Cooling in...
by Irene Wijaya | Apr 21, 2022 | Energy and Minerals, Technical Reports
The buildings sector plays a key role in decarbonising the global economy. In the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), buildings account for close to a quarter of the region’s total final energy consumption and energy-related CO2 emissions. With continued economic development, urbanisation and population growth across the region, the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) analysis shows that both final energy consumption and CO2 emissions in buildings will continue to grow without ambitious policy actions. Improving the energy efficiency of building envelopes and systems, increasing renewable energy utilisation, phasing out the use of traditional biomass and switching to clean cooking and electricity, while enhancing energy access for vulnerable households across the region, can result in more than a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions from buildings by 2040 in relation to 2020, and provide many other benefits to households, society and governments. The Roadmap for Energy-Efficient Buildings and Construction in ASEAN focuses on the policy tools available for ASEAN Member States to drive energy efficiency improvements in the building sector to help meet growing needs for residential and non-residential floor space and energy services, while limiting the growth in energy demand and related emissions. It identifies key energy-efficient and low carbon actions and activities that governments could consider for implementation by 2025, 2030 and beyond, moving towards net zero-carbon buildings. Download the report[PDF, 7,294kb] This report is the output of project: Roadmaps Towards Sustainable and Energy Efficient Buildings and Cooling in...
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...
