2nd Workshop of ERIA Study to Further Improve the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Scorecard

The 2^nd Workshop of ERIA Study to Further Improve the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Scorecard was held on September 4-5, 2010 at ERIA Annex Office. Lead researchers from 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS), ASEAN Secretariat representatives, as well as Indonesian government officials attended the workshop.

The workshop discussed the findings from the integrative report and the 10 country reports in AEC Blueprint implementations on: investment liberalization and facilitation, trade facilitation, as well as transport and logistics. Some key recommendations highlighted by the report include:

Investment Liberalization and Facilitation

Streamline processes, increase transparency, and improve coordination among agencies to speed up the processing of papers and approvals during the pre-establishment stage, as well as during the operations of firms. Also, strengthen national and local government coordination with respect to investment facilitation and promotion.

Trade Facilitation

Upgrade and invest on infrastructure that support the cargo clearance process, as well as reform and modernize customs. Devote sufficient resources to facilitate the establishment of National Single Window.

Transport and Logistics

Improve port infrastructure, address port congestion and modernize port operations at national level. Also, liberalize market access and national treatment rules in logistics and transport services at the regional level. The ERIA Study to Further Improve the AEC Scorecard was carried out in response to the request of the 41st ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting in Bangkok. The country reports were undertaken by study teams from the ERIA-RIN members, while the integrative report was prepared by 2 ERIA economists. The findings from the Study have been acknowledged by the 42nd ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting, in Da Nang, as one of ERIA's support and contribution in enhancing community building in ASEAN.