by Irene Wijaya | Oct 28, 2021 | Cross Cutting Issues, Technical Reports
The completion of the ASEAN Agreement on Electronic Commerce in 2019 was a key step in the pursuit of a leading digital economy in the ASEAN region. The Agreement provides the framework for the implementation of measures that allow ASEAN Member States (AMS) to cooperate in advancing the development and use of e-commerce in the ASEAN region while considering various degrees of digital readiness across AMS. As a result, the Agreement strengthens the emergence of a cohesive, aligned, and inclusive environment that helps facilitate cross-border e-commerce transactions for goods and services. To meet the objectives noted above and to ensure successful implementation of the Agreement, ASEAN and AMS will need to communicate and coordinate to facilitate the creation of a leading digital community. This Work Plan draws upon existing ASEAN work across various sectoral bodies to help achieve stronger e-commerce growth in the region. Such integration of effort will likely be replicated at the domestic level as well, as AMS will need to actively engage with various stakeholders to accelerate digital growth and meet national level e-commerce goals. This Work Plan for the Implementation of the Agreement outlines steps to be taken across the region over a five-year period to ensure continuing expansion of ASEAN’s digital resilience and support future growth opportunities for Southeast Asia. Download the Work Plan on the Implementation of ASEAN Agreement on e-Commerce...
by Irene Wijaya | Oct 18, 2021 | Investment, Technical Reports
The 2020-2021 ASEAN Investment Report looks at the state of foreign direct investment (FDI) in ASEAN in 2019 and 2020, noting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report also identifies major developments shaping the FDI landscape and post-pandemic recovery, including the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement in November 2020. This mega regional trading agreement, which constitutes about 15 percent of global FDI stock and more than 33 per cent of global FDI flows in 2020, is expected to provide an opportunity for ASEAN and its partners to further boost investment and enhance the development of the global value chain in the region. This report features the role of FDI and Multi-National Enterprises (MNEs) in Industry 4.0 transformation in the region, and how ASEAN Member States promote the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies to support their industrialisation and enhance overall economic competitiveness. The Report also provides recommendations going forward to address the challenges in attracting FDIs to support this transformation process, noting that the prospects for FDI in Industry 4.0 relevant industries and activities are positive. The ASEAN Investment Report was produced in collaboration with UNCTAD. Download Report [PDF, 6.081 kb]...
by Irene Wijaya | Oct 15, 2021 | Consumer Protection, Technical Reports
The ASEAN Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Guidelines for Consumer Protection (2021) aims to assess the different approaches to ADR, the implementation in each ASEAN Member States (AMS), and the steps to establish and apply ADR mechanism effectively. The Guidelines take into consideration international and ASEAN best practices in ADR. This would set in place the right conditions for broadening economic growth, promoting competitive markets, and attracting cross-border investments in and across ASEAN as a whole. The steady increase of cross-border trade within ASEAN has also prompted the region to adopt a harmonised and unified approach to ADR. It is hoped that with these guidelines in place, ASEAN Member States will have an informative guiding document which they can consult, review, and implement to strengthen and fine-tune their respective alternative dispute resolution regimes for consumer disputes. The Guidelines is divided into the following areas: (1) Development of National Policies for ADR of Consumer Disputes; (2) Access to Justice; (3) Expertise, Independence and Impartiality; (4) Transparency; (5) Effectiveness; (6) Fairness and Due Process; (7) Legality; (8) Efficiency; (9) Partial Autonomy; and (10) Enforcement. The development of the ADR guidelines is in line with initiative 1.5.1 under the ASEAN Strategic Action Plan on Consumer Protection (ASAPCP 2016-2025), specifically which is to “Develop guidelines for common approaches to ADRs including consideration of a mechanism for resolving consumer complaints through consumer groups”. Download the ASEAN ADR Guidelines for Consumer Protection (866 kb) Related project: Addressing Gaps in the establishment of an ASEAN Consumer Protection Framework Phase...
by Irene Wijaya | Dec 9, 2020 | Agriculture, Technical Reports
To harmonise existing GAqP guidelines and standards of ASEAN Member States (AMS), the ASEAN Guidelines on Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP) for Food Fish was developed in 2015, which addressed four areas affecting production, namely: a) Food safety; b) Animal health and welfare; c) Environmental integrity; and d) Socio-economic responsibility These ASEAN GAqP Guidelines address distinct issues on ensuring safety and quality of food fish during on-farm and post-production processes, enhancing environmental integrity of aqua farm operations, and contributing to socioeconomic sustainability. The guidelines cover all types of aquaculture (inland and marine) that produce fish for human consumption, including both hatcheries and grow-out farms. In order to operationalise the ASEAN GAqP Guidelines at both national and regional levels, promoting better understanding by capacitating AMS towards effective implementation of these guidelines, is crucial. This ASEAN Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP) for Food Fish: Trainers’ Guide is intended to support AMS in delivering effective Training of Trainers (ToT) programs for aquaculture extension workers and trainers that will further contribute to better understanding and utilisation of ASEAN GAqP. To complement this Trainers’ Guide, a set of PowerPoint presentations is available covering the introduction, 12 teaching modules and a module on teaching methods for trainers to be used during the training course. Relevant project: Establishment of ASEAN Good Aquaculture Practices (ASEAN GAqP) Date published: December...
by Irene Wijaya | Nov 12, 2020 | Connectivity, Technical Reports
Sustainable infrastructure is critical to pandemic recovery and adaptation to the new normal. ASEAN, through the Lead Implementing Body for Sustainable Infrastructure (LIB-SI), has developed a Framework for Improving ASEAN Infrastructure Productivity that aims to help ASEAN Member States improve their infrastructure planning, delivery, and operation. The Framework for Improving ASEAN Infrastructure Productivity aims to assist relevant stakeholders across ASEAN Member States to make informed and evidence-based policies towards improving infrastructure productivity across the entire infrastructure project lifecycle. The Framework’s seven workstreams (comprising 36 priority actions) and two toolkits developed will help ASEAN Member States prioritise their capacity building needs and customise specific actions. DOWNLOAD THE FULL PUBLICATION As mentioned in the Publication, an Excel workbook is provided to assist ASEAN Member States with capturing their self-assessment and calculating the scores against each workstream. DOWNLOAD THE EXCEL WORKBOOK Related project: Development of Framework for Improving ASEAN Infrastructure...
by Irene Wijaya | Nov 12, 2020 | Connectivity, Technical Reports
The Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, adopted by ASEAN Leaders at the 28th / 29th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane, Lao PDR, in September 2016 aims to achieve a seamlessly and comprehensively connected and integrated ASEAN that will promote competitiveness, inclusiveness, and a greater sense of Community. It comprises 15 initiatives in the five strategic areas of: (i) Sustainable Infrastructure; (ii) Digital Innovation; (iii) Seamless Logistics; (iv) Regulatory Excellence; and (v) People Mobility. This Mid-Term Review (MTR) of MPAC 2025 takes stock of the progress; highlights successes and challenges in the implementation of MPAC 2025; identifies and establishes linkages to other ASEAN and external initiatives; and makes recommendations for adjustments to ensure relevance and to boost implementation at both regional and national levels. In particular, the MTR assesses the relevance in light of emerging trends in the region, focus on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which has major implications for connectivity. To find out more on the key findings of MPAC 2025 progress, the potential impact of MPAC 2025, key challenges and recommendations, please download: Executive Summary of the Mid Term Review of the MPAC 2025 Infographic – Mid Term Review of MPAC 2025 Infographic– Linkages among Strategic Areas of MPAC 2025 Related project: Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC)...
