established to achieve ASEAN Vision 2020, which is “forming a stable, prosperous, and highly competitive region with free flow of goods, services, investment and freer flow of capital, equitable economic development and reduced poverty and socioeconomic disparities”. 6
and production base Equitable Economic Development Integration into the Global Economy Develop a competition policy Strengthen consumer protection Regional cooperation on IPRs Improve taxation & e-commerce Coherent approach towards external economic relations, Enhance participation in global supply networks Free flow of goods Free flow of services Free flow of investment Free flow of capital Free flow of skilled labour SME development through ASEAN blueprint Initiative for ASEAN integration to narrow development gap
ATIGA signed in 2009 as a more comprehensive legal instrument to enhance the CEPT-AFTA • Components: tariff liberalization, removal of non-tariff barriers, rule of origin, trade facilitation, custom, standards and conformance, SPS measures. free trade in goods • Full market access and national treatment • Remove substantially all restrictions on trade in services in 4 priority sectors: air transport, e-ASEAN, health care, and tourism plus logistic services by 2013; and other service sectors by 2015 • Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) on professional services free trade in services • Achieve free and open investment regime & enhance ASEAN’s attractiveness as an investment destination • ACIA cover: investment liberalization, protection, facilitation and promotion free flow of investment • Strengthen ASEAN Capital Market Development and Integration • Relax capital control measures on intra-ASEAN portfolio investment • Harmonize capital market-standard; facilitate market driven efforts to establish exchange and debt market linkage freer flow of capital • Remove discrimination on employment • Harmonize standards in education and training; MRA on vocational training freer flow of skilled labour 8
for Cambodia but can be offset by export to the rest of the world លំហូរចូលទំនិញ េ យ េសរីពី ៊ ន េធឲ នឱន ព ចំេ ះ កមុ ប៉ុែន ចទូ ត់ េ យ រ ំទំនិញ េ ប បេទស េផ ងៗេទ ត 10 + $$ Intermediate goods Consumer goods - $$$$ Export of goods by FDI firms to outside ASEAN Goods to ASEAN Source: Author’s analysis Posing huge constraints on micro, small and medium enterprises
local and foreign producers) 2. It will attract more foreign investment into Cambodia as well as the region 3. More finance is likely to come to Cambodia 4. Producers can better draw on inputs (including skilled labour) from ASEAN countries 5. More demand for skilled labour is likely to increase => more job opportunities for high performing professionals 16
– Government will lose more tax revenue (but buyers, buyers and producers, will pay less) – Producers, especially MSMEs, will face tougher competition • Financial markets will be more exposed and can be volatile • Fear of influx of foreign workers to Cambodia – Only skilled labour is allowed in AEC – Cambodia’s labour is not as skilled or competitive? 17
schools Continue to build quality infrastructure and effective institutions Conduct in-depth analytical studies on potential impact of ASEAN community What should youth do? Work harder! 18