Singapore: Benefits of integration still far off for businesses here
Regional governments will reach a milestone at the end of this year, when the Asean Economic Community (AEC) is launched - at least in name.
But for businesses, the date will pass without fanfare as Asean has yet to deliver on many of its targets for the ambitious trade pact across the 10 Asean member nations.
The Philippines: Getting ready for challenges, expansion
From the perspective of the Philippines, it is a game changer, maybe the biggest in Asia since China joined the World Trade Organisation in 2001.
But nobody seems to be expecting a big bang when the AEC formally takes off at the end of this year.
Malaysia: More effort needed to prepare SMEs for integrated market
Is Malaysia ready for the AEC?
International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed has said the average implementation rate of the measures set out for the AEC framework was 90.5 per cent.
Thailand: Full steam ahead towards regional integration
Big Thai corporate names like Bangkok Bank, Charoen Pokphand Foods, Siam Cement Group and Thai Beverage - all representing different industries - share a similar view that the domestic economy is becoming too small, and are venturing overseas to take advantage of growth opportunities that the Asean Economic Community (AEC) has to offer.
Bangkok Bank, for instance, already has branches in nine countries, all of the Asean states except Brunei. Charoen Pokphand Foods has operations in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam, outside of Thailand, in Asean.
Indonesia: Time for SMEs to toughen up
As the largest economy in South- east Asia, Indonesia has a lot at stake in the full implementation of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) by the year end.
By technical measurement, Indonesia is ready for the AEC, given that, by now, its scorecard shows the country's readiness well at 94 per cent, higher than the Asean average of 92 per cent.
Vietnam: Worrying about small firms
Small and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam have paid little attention to the nearing formation of the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
Mr Le Thanh Hai, the deputy manager of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Enterprise Development Foundation, said many enterprises were still little interested in the AEC.
AEC Briefs: Myanmar, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia
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