ASEAN to draft 2020 economic vision<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Economic ministers of the Association of
\nSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are to hold a one-day informal
\nmeeting here today to draft an economic vision for ASEAN in 2020.<\/p>\n
Sources close to the meeting said the drafted \"vision\" would
\nfocus on ASEAN in 2020, forging a partnership in dynamic
\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n
The vision will map out a guideline for creating an efficient
\neconomic region.<\/p>\n
Apart from discussing the vision report, ministers will also
\nhear a report from ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Ajit Singh on
\nCambodia's, Laos' and Myanmar's preparations to join the seven
\nmember association next month.<\/p>\n
According to a ministry source, a set of goals have been
\nlisted in the vision report as vehicles for achieving an
\nefficient Southeast Asian economic region.<\/p>\n
They include the realization of an ASEAN investment area by
\n2010, along with promotion of a free flow of investment by 2020.<\/p>\n
The evolution of an ASEAN development cooperation strategy
\nwill promote economic development and reduce poverty and
\nsocioeconomic disparity.<\/p>\n
The elimination of tariff and nontariff barriers will also be
\nhighlighted as a necessary step to ensure a free flow of goods.<\/p>\n
Sources further added that a progressive liberalization of
\ntrade services was also included as a major goal in the initial
\ndraft.<\/p>\n
Following this brief informal meeting in Jakarta, the draft
\nreport will be discussed more extensively in Kuala Lumpur during
\nthe 29th ASEAN Economic Ministers meeting in October before being
\npresented to leaders at a summit there in December.<\/p>\n
ASEAN currently comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the
\nPhilippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.<\/p>\n
The idea of an ASEAN economic vision came about during an
\ninformal ASEAN summit here last year.<\/p>\n
Leaders instructed minister to work on a guideline for
\ndirection beyond the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) deadline of
\n2003 and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) stream of
\n2020.<\/p>\n
AFTA aims at lowering tariffs in ASEAN to a level of zero to 5
\npercent by 2003, while APEC aims to eliminate all tariff barriers
\nin the region by 2020.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian delegation in today's meeting at the Grand
\nMelia Hotel is headed by Coordinating Minister for Production and
\nDistribution Hartarto.<\/p>\n
Ministers are scheduled for a round of golf tomorrow before
\nheading back to their respective capitals. (mds)<\/p>",
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