16th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat in Malaysia

ERIA Executive Director, Mr. Hidetoshi Nishimura and some ERIA researchers attended the 16th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat in Putrajaya, Malaysia, February 28, 2010. The Retreat, which attended by ASEAN Economic Ministers, among others discussed mechanisms to enhance existing cooperation in trade and investment, and initiatives to strengthen economic integration within the region.

 The Ministers also reviewed the ASEAN integration process in order to ensure that it was on track towards realizing the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015. The outcome of the discussions will be conveyed to senior officials to follow up with clear measures for endorsement at the formal AEM Meeting scheduled to be held in Vietnam in August.

ERIA Executive Director, Mr. Hidetoshi Nishimura made a report on "Implementation Strategy for the ERIA Study to Further Improve the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Scorecard". The Implementation Strategy is a response to the request made by the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEMs) during their 41st meeting in Bangkok. It proposes that ERIA conducts a study to further improve the review process of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint implementation. The Study aims at providing a substantive analysis and independent review of the AEC Blueprint implementation. It complements the official report made by the ASEAN Secretariat on the implementation of the Blueprint (i.e., the ASEAN Scorecard). The complementation of ASEC AEC Scorecard and the ERIA's Study strengthens and improves the monitoring of the Blueprint's implementation. The Ministers recognized and welcomed ERIA's efforts for the study. The Ministers and the Secretary General of the ASEAN, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, voiced their strong support for the implementation of the ERIA Study.