Uneven e-government will hinder South-east Asia trade

Subject E-government systems in ASEAN member states. Significance The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) free trade area will be rolled out later this quarter. In part, the AEC requires development of electronic government (e-government) systems in ASEAN states. However, these systems are of uneven quality and capacity due to comparatively slow public administration and governance reforms, differing business and political cultures, bureaucratic divisions and technological divides. Impacts Uneven e-government systems could constrain the movement and monitoring of labour under the AEC. Rural-area governments will suffer e-government capacity gaps, constraining rural industries' development. International bodies' concerns about governance in ASEAN states will mute faith in e-government provisions.

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Christian Chandra

Despite its ambitious ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) project, protectionism and economic nationalism are on the rise in ASEAN. Protectionism, however, is not new to Southeast Asia, with governments across the region employ such an inward-looking economic policy when they enjoy economic stability, and pursue economic reform when confronted with major economic challenges. Unfortunately, embryonic industries will always exist in the region, and governments will find excuses to safeguard their existence. Consistent with the so-called 'Murdoch Schoold of critical political-economy' approach, this article mainly argues that the inclination towards protectionism in ASEDAN is primarily rooted in the domestic political-economy of ASEAN Member States. Apart from bringing about domestic regulatory changes, major economic liberalisationinitiatives of ASEAN, such as the ASEAN Free Trade Area and the AEC, significantly redistribute power and resources, and ignite struggles between competing domestic economic influences, many of which are in favour of government's protection. Whilst existing technical initiatives to address protectionism are useful, major crises that encourage major structural adjustments in all AMS might be needed to overcome fundamental protectionist inclination in the region


Author(s):  
Hendra Maujana Saragih

Abstract This paper focusing on looking at Indonesia's readiness to deal with the Era of the Economic Community in ASEAN with the urgency that Indonesia's preparations should have a systemic impact on Indonesia's economic growth. The socialization that has been carried out continues and continues to be inflated by every child of the nation so as not to lose compete and be swallowed by the existence of regional countries that really use ASEAN Economic Community as a positive and constructive economic opportunity for each ASEAN member country officially. ASEAN Economic Community is one form of Free Trade Area (FTA) and located in Southeast Asia .ASEAN Economic Community which is formed with a mission to make the economy in ASEAN to be better and able to compete with countries whose economy is more advanced than the condition of ASEAN countries currently. The realization of ASEAN Economic Community, can make ASEAN a more strategic position in the international arena. Researchers expect that with the realization of the ASEAN economic community can open the eyes of all parties, resulting in an inter-sectoral dialogue that will also complement each other among the stakeholders of the economic sector in ASEAN countries and this is very inherent formally. Keywords: Competition, Free Trade Area, Opportunity, Challenge


Subject Brunei's economic rebalancing. Significance Brunei is liberalising trade and business regulations and seeking foreign investment ahead of the launch of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) free trade area from late 2015. Investment is needed in services and manufacturing to wean the economy off oil and gas; depressed global oil prices make this rebalancing more urgent. However, easing red tape and encouraging competition will bring economic benefits only in the long term. Impacts Absent higher oil prices, Brunei faces further public spending constraints. China's economic and geopolitical influence will grow in Brunei. Brunei is a candidate for overseas support to build its knowledge industry.


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.


Subject Maritime piracy in South-east Asia. Significance Shippers are likely to expand seaborne trade from 2016 following the initiation of the ASEAN Economic Community free trade area at the end of last year, which envisions more integrated and liberalised shipping. However, shippers are threatened by growing regional piracy on the high seas and maritime robbery in territorial waters. Impacts Shipping firms will need to make provision for crew security and training, and may require larger insurance subscriptions. Improved intra-ASEAN intelligence-sharing and judicial cooperation would help to counter piracy. Land-based measures such as building forensic capacity and public education (as Malaysia and others are doing) would be helpful.


Subject Outlook for ASEAN's automobile industry under the ASEAN Economic Community. Significance Though officially espoused as a partnership model for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) free trade area, and a priority sector for cooperation, South-east Asia's automotive sector is still fragmented and nationally focused, even though the AEC's arrival is imminent at end-2015. Impacts ASEAN-based automakers will need to prioritise production efficiency to stay competitive. Standardisation may be needed to reduce production costs. Export opportunities will be constrained absent further progress on regulatory harmonisation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-126
Author(s):  
Shumei Chen ◽  
Dandan Li

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to predict the likely economic effects of a free trade area (FTA) on both China and the United Kingdom (hereafter the UK). Design/methodology/approach Following literature review and trade relationship briefing, this paper uses the Global Trade Analysis Project simulation to predict the economic effects of such a FTA on both China and the UK. Findings The simulation results indicate that a China-UK free trade area (hereafter CUFTA) will bring more benefits than harm to both China and the UK, and achieving zero tariff or reducing technological barriers to trade (TBT) is mutually beneficial for both China and the UK, with the growth in GDP, economic welfare as well as import and export. Combining zero tariff and the reduction of TBT in exceptional departments is the most favorable way to improve the macroeconomic effects without bringing damaging effects on the comparative disadvantage industries such as transport equipment, chemicals industries for China and textiles and apparel industry for the UK. Originality/value After the UK voted to leave the European Union, CUFTA is put on the agenda by both the governments, yet there are fewer studies on CUFTA, with this paper being one of the early trials. Besides, based on the simulation results, some policy suggestions will be put forward for future negotiations and industrial policies’ adjustment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-127
Author(s):  
Moh Firstananto Jerusalem

Abstract In the ASEAN Economic Community blueprint 2015 the term “single market” was used as a goal of economic community. Theoretically, single market is a level of economic integration after customs union. Under that blueprint, customs union could have a chance to be established as a necessary prerequisite for single market. However, the new blueprint 2025 does not adopt single market concept anymore. Different terms have been introduced namely “integrated and cohesive economy” and “unified market”. This article aims at assessing economic integration concept adopted in the ASEAN Economic Community blueprint by utilizing content analysis. It will review the change of concept by employing economic integration theory in order to indicate the direction of economic community goal. The finding is that the change of terms reflects the change of concept. As a result, ASEAN Economic Community will have a different direction in pursuing economic integration. Therefore, under the new blueprint ASEAN will not proceed to customs union and single market. However, it will remain at free trade area level of economic integration. In addition, ASEAN will not be a close trade block but tend to be an open regionalism in relation to non-ASEAN countries or regions. Keywords: ASEAN Economic Community, Customs Union, Single Market, Economic Integration, Open Regionalism.


Significance However, the success of Akufo-Addo's second term could depend in large part upon effective economic diplomacy with regional and international trade partners now the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has become operational. Impacts Ghana will push for all African Union (AU) members to ratify the AfCFTA to secure its position as a regional hub. Economic plans may heighten existing social tensions within Ghana, notably Western Togoland, if growth is not shared equitably. More AU members will likely undertake full ratification of the AfCFTA to not be left outside of lucrative continental markets.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Cahya Sutanto

In 2015, Indonesia and other ASEAN members have a commitment to establish a single market region, i.e. free flow of goods and service, termed ASEAN Economic Community (hereinafter ‘AEC’). This arrangement is contrary to Most Favored Nation (MFN) principle under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994, (hereinafter ‘GATT’). This paper aims to address the said violation according to the WTO/GATT law by analyzing (1) the general obligations and exceptions under the WTO/GATT, (2) regionalism in general and its existence in Southeast Asia, and (3) the interpretation of WTO’s compromise to regionalism. Under the GATT, there is a general obligation for members to treat their trading partners equally and give the same benefits to other members. However, there is an exception to this principle under article XXIV of the GATT, which based on the notion that regional trade agreements are a building block for multilateral openness. Yet, before applying this exception to the case at hand, AEC’s form must be determined. AEC’ has a structure of Free-Trade Area (hereinafter ‘FTA’) with a single market adhere to it, which according to WTO’s database there is one in force at the moment, namely ASEAN Free Trade Area (hereinafter ‘AFTA’). AFTA is not the equivalent to AEC because it covers more than just goods. Thus, the answer to apply the exception to AEC is inconclusive because even though it fits normatively, it does not have the necessary legitimacy.


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