ASEAN textile sector investment needs will grow

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Regional Integration ◽  
Labour Mobility ◽  
Economic Community ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Additional Capacity ◽  
Asean Economic Community ◽  
Assembly Operations ◽  
Textile Sector

Subject Investment needs in ASEAN's textiles and garments sector. Significance Textiles and garments will be a benchmark for the regional integration of manufacturing as ASEAN edges towards the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) single market in late 2015. However, developing cross-border partnerships in garments production is constrained due to high costs and inadequate supply chains, deterring some investors looking to relocate low-end assembly operations from China. Impacts Integrating supply chains would reduce costs and over-reliance on imports, but infrastructure and transport limits will act as hurdles. Producers will invest in additional capacity and upgrading of operations to meet buyer demands. Emerging trade alliances could offer a competitive lifeline if producing countries commit to tariff reforms. Pressure to reform intra-ASEAN labour mobility regulations may grow.

ASEAN electronics industry competition will grow

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Free Trade Area ◽  
Electronics Industry ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Economic Community ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trade Area ◽  
Industry Competition ◽  
Electronics Workers ◽  
Asean Economic Community

Subject Electronics and ICT investment outlook in ASEAN states. Significance South-east Asia is removing foreign investment barriers in most electronics industries, attempting to capitalise on closer economic ties with China and digitalisation of services. Changes in supply chains are drawing investment to cheaper production bases, including Vietnam and the Philippines, forcing established manufacturers Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand to compete with China for high-end markets. This trend will intensify ahead of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) free trade area, which will be implemented in late 2015. Impacts Investment markets will be liberalised under the ASEAN Economic Community. Trade liberalisation will require expanded South-east Asian supply chains, and boost electronics industry links with China. ASEAN governments will address skills gaps to provide electronics workers as the industry grows.

Regional knowledge economies and global innovation networks – the case of Southeast Asia

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Degelsegger-Márquez ◽  
Svend Otto Remøe ◽  
Rudie Trienes
Keyword(s):  
Economic Integration ◽  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Knowledge Economy ◽  
Regional Integration ◽  
Innovation Networks ◽  
Economic Community ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Asean Member ◽  
Global Innovation ◽  
Asean Economic Community

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the prospects of a Southeast Asian knowledge economy in light of regional integration processes and the participation of Southeast Asia in global innovation networks. Design/methodology/approach The evidence base is a combination of quantitative data on R&D investments, patent applications and publications, with qualitative data from 40 semi-structured expert interviews conducted with innovation experts, research managers and policymakers in six ASEAN Member States. Findings Despite economic growth and increases in R&D inputs and outputs in individual ASEAN Member States, innovation policy at regional ASEAN level remains weak. In addition, the economic integration of the ASEAN Economic Community is progressing slowly. In this environment, evidence is presented for a certain level of regional integration when it comes to the exploitation of knowledge produced within and outside of ASEAN. While a regional market for knowledge exploitation is conceivable, this is not accompanied by the regional integration of knowledge production. Practical implications The main practical implication of this argument is the need for ASEAN policymakers to appreciate the disconnection between regional knowledge production and exploitation. This paper offers conceptual tools to engage in ASEAN-level policy discussions on this issue that can help facilitate the best possible regional outcome. Originality/value Despite several studies on the ASEAN Economic Community process, there has been no contribution so far that combines a discussion of the economic integration process with a look at the regional knowledge economy and innovation systems. This perspective does not only contribute to innovation systems literature, but also entails important policy lessons.

ASEAN politicised anti-graft efforts may mar business

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Integration ◽  
Political Corruption ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Economic Community ◽  
Presidential Transition ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Asean Economic Community

Subject The outlook for anti-corruption frameworks in South-east Asia and ASEAN. Significance Over the last two decades, national anti-corruption commissions in the ASEAN-core countries -- Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines -- have become more powerful and capable of coordinating high-profile anti-corruption campaigns against those holding public office. However, such efforts have in some cases become intensely politicised, and some national commissions have struggled to remain autonomous. This will affect governance and business, especially with ASEAN integrating and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) coming in late 2015. Impacts With elections delayed to late 2016, further corruption probes of Thai opposition figures are likely. Indonesia's anti-corruption commission faces a battle to protect its autonomy, and may see its capacity hindered. The Philippines' presidential transition in mid-2016 will determine the ongoing success of the current anti-corruption drive. Malaysia's anti-corruption commission may gain institutional strength through the '1MDB' investigation. Deepening ASEAN economic integration could increase cross-border and domestic opportunities for political corruption.

scholarly journals Ethnic Conflict and Economic Cooperation in the Borderlands: Burma, Thailand, and the Karen

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4.15) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
Sirinya Siriyanun ◽  
Dr. Tipparat Bubpasiri
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Ethnic Conflict ◽  
Economic Cooperation ◽  
International Community ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Economic Community ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Asean Economic Community ◽  
Cross Border Cooperation

Since 1949, the Karen ethnic minority has been engaged in an armed uprising against the Burmese government, and this uprising has defined Thai-Burmese border relations. Despite its length and impact, this conflict is easily overlooked, and has been willfully ignored by Thailand, Burma, and the international community in the optimism surrounding the start of the ASEAN Economic Community. Documentary research and interviews with participants in the conflict demonstrate that the Karen, and the armed nonstate groups which represent them, maintain the ability to end any sustained cross-border cooperation between Thailand and Burma. As such, a resolution to the conflict is necessary if the ASEAN Economic Community, and the various other projects that Thailand and Burma have envisioned for the border region, is to succeed.  

IS THE �ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY� UNDERSIEGE? The New Trajectory of the Asean Economic Community the two Mega- Regional Agreements; �RCEP� and �TPP�

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-42
Author(s):  
Indra Kusumawardhana ◽  
Jeremiah Daniel
Keyword(s):  
Regional Integration ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Global Capitalism ◽  
Economic Community ◽  
Great Achievement ◽  
Regional Agreements ◽  
Economic Partnership ◽  
Asean Economic Community ◽  
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership ◽  
Use Dependency

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) was signed by the leading nations of Southeast Asia in Kuala Lumpur on 31, December 2015. This was a great achievement of regional integration, pointing members of the AEC towards a single market awakening. Despite this tremendous progress, the reality is that ASEAN members are now involved in two mega-regional agreements. One, which has the potential to protect ASEAN centrality, ASEAN+6 or the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP); and the other, the US-ledTrans-Pacific-Partnership Agreement. This participation by ASEAN members with various economic partners outside ASEAN may result in dependency to global capitalism networks.Departing from the above mentioned context, the core question then arises: Has the global economic structure provide an opportune precondition for the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)? To tackle this question, this essay will use Dependency Theory to analyze the global economicstructures which encase the AECs regional economic integration agenda and to reveal the ASEAN members dependence on global capitalism. This essay explores both the attempts of the ASEAN framework to create a comprehensive economic community; and the consequences of ASEAN integration with two mega-regional agreements in the region. It is argued that the dependency of ASEAN members on the structure of the global economy proves that it does not provide a proper pre-conditioning for the AEC to be implemented. Moreover, it will be hegemonic factors that challenge the existence of the AEC.

Investors will benefit from ASEAN e-commerce boom

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Market Potential ◽  
Economic Community ◽  
Payment Systems ◽  
Regional Trade ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Sales ◽  
Electronic Retailing ◽  
Mobile Telephones ◽  
Advanced Economies ◽  
Asean Economic Community

Subject The outlook for an ASEAN e-commerce boom. Significance A February study commissioned by the ASEAN Business Forum forecasts that electronic retailing in South-east Asia's six more advanced economies could grow by 25% annually up to 2017, driven by rising incomes, improving technology and a services boom. Expected to be worth at least 60 billion dollars once it matures (beyond 2017), the e-commerce market will help expand regional trade connections as the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is enacted from late 2015. Impacts Rising incomes, growing business connectivity and investment in retail portals will spur online sales. Services will be targeted at younger, technology-aware consumers who prefer mobile telephones over computers. Market potential may not be realised without investment in supporting services, including payment systems.

Missed financial target will hurt ASEAN unification

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
National Development ◽  
Economic Community ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Demand For Insurance ◽  
Insurance Cover ◽  
Slow Progress ◽  
Asean Economic Community ◽  
Trade Deals

Subject Outlook for the ASEAN Economic Community. Significance Just four months in, ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) integration is proving difficult. Recognising the slow progress, ASEAN ministers meeting in Vientiane earlier this month agreed on a delayed 2025 timetable for integrating financial services. The action plan aims to free more funding for national development by liberalising equity, bond and insurance markets and allowing banks to operate on a regional basis, but it has had only cautious backing. Impacts ASEAN integration will increase regional demand for insurance cover. Resolving ASEAN's development gaps needs investment in infrastructure, education and administration systems. Non-tariff barriers and external preferential trade deals will challenge the AEC's coherence for the foreseeable future.

South-east Asia gender balance implies growth benefit

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Parental Leave ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Institutional Changes ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Economic Potential ◽  
Economic Community ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gender Balance ◽  
Asean Economic Community

Subject Gender inequality, business and economic growth as ASEAN integrates economically. Significance South-east Asian economic ministers agreed at a summit earlier this month in Manila to work towards a more inclusive role for women in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). Impacts Institutional changes will be needed for women to realise their full economic potential. Small and medium-sized businesses owned by women will struggle to access financing. Reform of parental leave and childcare would help retain vital skills in the workplace.

ASEAN integration opens avenue to healthcare investors

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Access ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Hospital Services ◽  
Economic Community ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Private Healthcare ◽  
Investment Opportunities ◽  
Asean Economic Community ◽  
Demographic Shifts ◽  
Industry Investment

Subject The ASEAN Economic Community and medical investments. Significance Rising incomes and demographic shifts are driving demand for improved health services across South-east Asia and the region has become an important production base for pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. With the promulgation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in late 2015 -- which will help to close development gaps, improve infrastructure and expand private healthcare access -- various medical industry investment opportunities are coming. Impacts Commercial healthcare operators will be needed to finance emerging healthcare markets. A rise in public-private partnerships is probable. Medical investors will tap the growth potential for hospital services, pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

ASEAN summits will test bloc unity afresh

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South China Sea ◽  
East Asia ◽  
South China ◽  
Korean Peninsula ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Economic Community ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Issues ◽  
Maritime Disputes ◽  
Asean Economic Community

Significance The ASEAN Summits will attempt to maintain momentum for greater integration, particularly on the new 2025 ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) blueprint. The EAS will focus on regional tensions on the Korean peninsula and in the South China Sea, and see the first visit of a serving US president to Laos. Impacts Russia will strengthen ties with South-east Asia and ASEAN, but avoid entanglement in maritime disputes. ASEAN could lose international traction in 2017: Duterte is still developing foreign policy experience. Regional economic issues will be considered outside South-east Asia this year also in Peru at the November APEC summit.

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