JP\/6\/INTRO<\/p>\n
Both support and opposition have highlighted the journey of
\nthe ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), since its inception back in
\n1993.<\/p>\n
Certain sectors of the public support AFTA due to the fact
\nthat AFTA, which aims at stamping out trade barriers within the
\nregion, would expedite the flow of goods and services in the
\nregion, boosting trade growth.<\/p>\n
Traders and producers would benefit from AFTA, since it would
\nexpand markets of goods and services. While, consumers would also
\nbenefit from lower prices of goods and services.<\/p>\n
However, other parties have demanded that AFTA's
\nimplementation be delayed, because of the perceived harmful
\neffect it would have on the nation's domestic industries. AFTA
\npromotes free and open competition, so that the industries which
\nare not yet ready would fall by the wayside.<\/p>\n
As the year 2002 draws to a close, some 90 percent of products
\nincluded in AFTA have been put into inclusion lists this year,
\nbut public discourse on its benefits and dangers hasn't waned
\nyet.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Posts' Fitri Wulandari, Rendi A. Witular, Adianto
\nSimamora, Dadan Wijaksana and A'an Suryana interviewed people
\nfrom all walks of life, to get a comprehensive view on AFTA.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp6intro-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}