BRIDGING THE DEVELOPMENT GAP
BETWEEN THE OLDER AND NEW MEMBERS OF ASEAN
As integration with the world economy increases, ASEAN finds itself facing important opportunities and challenges, including the need to better integrate the new members into the regional and global economy. ASEAN leaders have agreed to develop a roadmap for integration of ASEAN (RIA) in order to put the objective of regional integration at the centre of ASEAN’s cooperation and provide a framework for more coherent implementation of the regional integration programme. A stable, prosperous and highly competitive ASEAN economic region is envisioned, in which there is a free flow of goods, services and investments, a freer flow of capital, equitable economic development and reduced poverty and socioeconomic disparities.
Among ASEAN’s greatest challenges in the new millennium is the one it faces within: the integration of market diversity and the transitional economies of its new member countries, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (collectively known as the CLMV countries). In November 2000, ASEAN leaders agreed to launch an “Initiative for ASEAN Integration” (IAI) programme, which gives direction to and sharpens the focus of collective efforts in ASEAN to narrow the development gap between its older and newer members. To realize this objective, the ASEAN leaders, at their Summit Meeting in Phnom Penh in November 2002, endorsed a work plan with 54 projects. This will ensure dynamic and sustained growth of the sub region (geographically, the CLMV countries happen to be located in the same region) and prosperity of the peoples.
With the rapidly changing socioeconomic global landscape, there is a greater sense of urgency and commitment among ASEAN countries to push ahead with fresh approaches to ensure that the newer members are not left behind. Widening of the development gap between the older ASEAN-6 members and the CLMV countries could undermine regional solidarity.
This six-year IAI work plan (July 2002 to June 2008) has been developed to assist these countries to catch up with the others by ensuring that the economic wheels of their economies move at an accelerated pace. Furthermore, the work plan, if implemented successfully, will instill confidence in these countries to face the economic challenges ahead such as globalization and liberalization.
The programmes, activities and projects under the work plan are directed at strengthening the CLMV countries’ capacity, capability and resolve in meeting the challenges ahead such as reducing poverty, preparing them to face global competition and also assisting them to gain some competitive edge in world markets.
ASEAN’s experience in the last three decades has shown that measures to reduce inequality in income and wealth distribution can contribute to faster economic growth. The programmes, activities and projects in the work plan are intended not only to enhance the productive capacity of the peoples in the CLMV countries but also make their economies more competitive in facing the new realities in the global economy. In all of these efforts, cooperation from all quarters is needed.
ASEAN-6 assisting the CLMV countries
The launching of the IAI work plan is the response of ASEAN in assisting its less fortunate members bridge the development gap among the older and newer members. Concerned about the wellbeing of their fellow members, ASEAN-6 countries have committed to make significant contributions to uplift the standards of living of the CLMV countries in line with the concept of self help.
ASEAN-6 will assist the new members by capitalizing on their broad spectrum of strengths, resources and abilities. The contribution of member countries will take various forms including training, provision of technical experts and supply of equipment, just to name a few. ASEAN-6 has taken the lead to ensure that the new members join in the mainstream of development by making numerous pledges and commitments to assist in the realization of the work plan.
Four priority areas
The IAI Work Plan for CLMV will focus on the priority areas of Infrastructure Development (Transport and Energy), Human Resource Development (Capacity Building, Labour & Employment, and Higher Education), Information and Communications Technology, and Promoting Regional Economic Integration (Trade in Goods and Services, Customs, Standards and Investments) in the CLMV countries.
Resource Mobilisation Efforts
Resource mobilisation for the implementation of programmes and projects in the IAI Work Plan will be an ongoing exercise. The first major resource mobilisation exercise was the convening of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration Development Cooperation Forum (IDCF) on 15-16 August 2002 at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta. The Forum was attended by about 270 representatives from all ASEAN member organisations, ASEAN dialogue partners, 27 regional and international organisations and 17 regional and international corporations participated in the Forum. The Forum provided delegates with a better understanding of regional integration efforts in ASEAN and a heightened level of awareness on the IAI Work Plan. Delegates expressed strong support for the IAI Work Plan and made pledges to support the funding of some of the projects. On 22nd January 2003, a ‘mini IDCF’ was held in Brunei Darussalam.
Annual Reviews
The IAI work plan will be a dynamic document, which will continue to reflect ASEAN’s commitment, priority and responses to changing circumstances. Annual reviews will be carried out to allow necessary redirections of the programme objectives and revisions of its output.
9 April 2003,
ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta
