TODAY

Wong Marn-Heong, Assistant Professor at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singa-pore, presented ASEAN-BAC Survey at Park Royal Hotel, Yangon, on 29 November, 2013. The survey was conducted by Lee Kuan Yew School and ASEAN Busines Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC).

The survey is the third wave of ASEAN-BAC Survey on ASEAN Competitiveness done two times in 2010 and 2011-2012. It was conducted between May and August 2013 across all 10 ASEAN countries, by telephone interviews and online survey, obtaining a total of 502 credible responses. The aims and coverage of 2013 ASEAN-BAC Survey are 1) competitiveness of the ASEAN region for investments, 2) business perceptions of ASEAN economic integration, 3) international activities of ASEAN-based firms and 4) business use of free trade agreements concluded by ASEAN and impediments.

According to the survey, Myanmar shows the best prospect for international investment for 2013-2015 period. (graph 1)

Concerning impediments to investment in ASEAN countries, lack of information comes at the top. (graph 2)

Nearly 60 percent of respondents viewed ASEAN economic integration as high or very high opportunity for their organizations. (graph 3)

The survey concluded that the ASEAN region continues to remain attractive to investors; more busi-nesses are adopting an ASEAN strategy; ASEAN’s implementation of measures towards an AEC (Asean Economic Community) is important for businesses’ trade and investment decisions in the ASEAN; more businesses view ASEAN economic integration as an opportunity than a threat; more of the local small firms perceive ASEAN economic integration to be more of a threat than an opportunity; and businesses are less satisfied with the ASEAN’s dissemination of information and consultation with businesses on AEC initiatives.

The full report can be downloaded at http://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/2013-ASEAN-BAC-Survey-Report or www.asean-bac.org

Wong Marn-Heong,
Assistant Professor
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy

I think the Asean tracks the progress towards the AEC through the AEC Scorecard Mechanism. Every two years, they actually make survey on different policy areas in the AEC Blueprint…and find out whether you have implemented measures in the particular areas and highlight if it is half completed or not implemented at all. They have done it for AEC Scorecard Phase One in 2008-2009 and Phase Two in 2010-2011. As of now, the ASEAN has implemented about 80 percent of the measures in the AEC Blueprint. So 80 percent is not such a bad number except that there’re some people questioned about this kind of measurement just said Yes or No. What exactly is the extent of the implementation, what is the quality of the implementation, this is something that is not coming out from the AEC Scorecard and we can look at that aspect more.

I think all the ASEAN countries are support-ing the mission towards the AEC because all the leaders have signed on this vision. And the newer members of the ASEAN actually do have some extended timeline to meet with the requi-rements of forming the AEC. At the highest level, the leaders have undertaken this commit-ment and they’re not going back on it.

Nyan Hein Latt