REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel has said that preparation for the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is 90.5 percent complete.
"The main focus of our meeting is the AEC Scorecard. Currently, the AEC Scorecard has reached 90.5 percent," Gobel stated here on Monday.
The AEC Scorecard is a mechanism to measure preparations for the implementation of the AEC, and the scorecard has reached 90.5 percent.
Rachmat noted that ASEAN countries have demonstrated a commitment to realize the AEC in 2015.
"All ASEAN member countries have been asked to achieve 100 percent implementation level," Rachmat added.
Rachmat explained that the issue of ASEAN cooperation in the trade sector is a major concern. The liberalization of the sector will be further enhanced through 10 ASEAN Framework Agreements on Services.
Rachmat and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Djalil have attended the 13th ASEAN Economic Community Council Meeting (ASEAN Economic Community Council) and a series of meetings at the 26th ASEAN Summit.
The AEC Council meeting has several important agenda, including the presentation of a report of the AEC Council to the ASEAN leaders on the progress and achievements of the AEC.
In addition, the AEC Council Ministers will also discuss the policy directions of the ASEAN Economic Community during 2016-2025 and the ASEAN connectivity.
ASEAN Economic Ministers remarked that economic integration in the region should be deepened with a focus on trade facilitation enhancement to the business sector and development in the region so that the ASEAN economic integration can benefit the ASEAN Community.
"All stakeholders should be involved to realize the national interest of Indonesia in ASEAN's vision," Rachmat remarked.
Rachmat affirmed that national competitiveness should be the key to drawing benefits from the ASEAN economic integration.
"National competitiveness can be achieved only by working hard and through the participation of all ministries or agencies and the public," he stated.
ASEAN economic growth in 2014 grew by 4.4 and is expected to grow 4.9 percent in 2015.
ASEAN's total trade in 2014 reached US$2.53 trillion, an increase of 0.6 percent from 2013. Investment inflow into ASEAN was also quite high, which reached US$136.2 billion in 2014, an increase of 11.3 percent as compared to last year.
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