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.