The 21st ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat, which will be held in KotaBaharu, Kelantan from February 28 to March 1, will focus on ensuring allcore economic integration measures stipulated in the ASEAN EconomicCommunity (AEC) blueprint are realized, according to Malaysia’s Ministryof International Trade and Industry.
The AEC is scheduled tocome into effect by December 31 this year, intending to create a singlemarket and production base in the region to further bolster ASEAN’sprogress and prosperity.
Recommendations from the privatesector and concerns over a perceived increase in non-tariff barriers totrade in the region will also be main discussion points for theministers.
The ministers are also expected to consider andprovide guidance on the draft of the Post-2015 Economic Vision and Planfor ASEAN, a critical deliverable as stakeholders expect the bloc toissue a new and bold agenda at the end of the year to direct deeperregional integration over the next decade.
The annual retreatis traditionally convened to enable the ASEAN Economic Ministers toassess achievements in regional integration and consider newinitiatives.
As Chair and Host of the retreat, Mustapa Mohamed,Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry will take theopportunity to garner support from other ASEAN member states for aseries of events to be held in Malaysia, including the Southeast AsiaRegulatory Reform Conference (from March 9-12); the ASEAN SME Showcaseand Conference 2015 (from May 26-28); the ASEAN Business and InvestmentSummit (November); and several ASEAN Youth and YoungEntrepreneur-related summits.-VNA
The AEC is scheduled tocome into effect by December 31 this year, intending to create a singlemarket and production base in the region to further bolster ASEAN’sprogress and prosperity.
Recommendations from the privatesector and concerns over a perceived increase in non-tariff barriers totrade in the region will also be main discussion points for theministers.
The ministers are also expected to consider andprovide guidance on the draft of the Post-2015 Economic Vision and Planfor ASEAN, a critical deliverable as stakeholders expect the bloc toissue a new and bold agenda at the end of the year to direct deeperregional integration over the next decade.
The annual retreatis traditionally convened to enable the ASEAN Economic Ministers toassess achievements in regional integration and consider newinitiatives.
As Chair and Host of the retreat, Mustapa Mohamed,Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry will take theopportunity to garner support from other ASEAN member states for aseries of events to be held in Malaysia, including the Southeast AsiaRegulatory Reform Conference (from March 9-12); the ASEAN SME Showcaseand Conference 2015 (from May 26-28); the ASEAN Business and InvestmentSummit (November); and several ASEAN Youth and YoungEntrepreneur-related summits.-VNA
