ASEAN introduces new promotion scheme

ASEAN introduces new promotion scheme

JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) has agreed to add rubber, coffee, tea and beans and peas
to a new five-year scheme promoting ASEAN agricultural and forest
products.

The association said here over the weekend that the new scheme
superseded the one signed in 1994, which had already included 11
other agricultural and forestry products.

The agreement to add four additional products was reached
during the 21st Meeting of ASEAN Ministers of Agriculture and
Forestry (AMAF), held recently in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Darussalam.

The new scheme was aimed at improving the competitiveness of
these products in the international market, according to a press
statement issued by the association's secretariat.

Under the scheme, ASEAN would undergo joint efforts in
negotiations and bargainings, including addressing issues and
problems faced by member countries in the international market.

ASEAN has planned to set up a joint committee to coordinate
the joint efforts consisting of representatives of member
countries, the ASEAN Secretariat and representatives of the
private sector.

The committee would be chaired on a rotational basis and would
meet in the member country hosting the annual AMAF Meeting.

Furthermore, guidelines within the scheme would be established
to counter campaigns against ASEAN products and to overcome
discriminatory and unfair practices imposed by importing
countries.

To raise the products' exports, targeted industries would
undergo product diversification and quality improvement while
also maintaining resources to ensure the sustainable supply of
raw material.

The scheme would also promote inter-ASEAN trade of these
agricultural and forestry products.

Already included in the 1994 scheme are carrageenan and other
seaweed, frozen chicken, tapioca, frozen prawns, canned tuna,
canned pineapple, palm oil, coconut oil, cocoa, forest products
and pepper.

The 10 members of ASEAN consist of Brunei Darussalam,
Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines,
Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. (03)