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The Amendment to the Agreement on Establishing the ASEAN Promotion Center on Trade, Investment and Tourism
Tokyo, 22 December 1980




(Accession of Brunei Darussalam to the Agreement, Jakarta, 8 June 1990)


Japan and the member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (hereinafter referred to as the "ASEAN member countries") comprising Brunei Darussalam, the Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore and the Kingdom of Thailand:

RECOGNISING the vital importance of promoting an increase in exports, flow of investment and tourism in the economic development of the ASEAN member countries.

CONVINCED that cooperative efforts are necessary to achieve such objectives effectively and that such efforts contribute to the promotion of friendly relations between Japan and the ASEAN member countries.

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE 1
Establishment

  1. There shall e established a promotion centre on trade, investment and tourism known as the ASEAN Promotion Centre on Trade, Investment and Tourism (hereinafter referred to as "the Centre").

  2. The Headquarters of the Centre shall be located in Tokyo.


ARTICLE 2
Purpose

The purpose of the Centre is to promote exports from the ASEAN member countries to Japan, particularly semi-processed and manufactured products; to accelerate the inflow of investment from Japan to the ASEAN member countries.


ARTICLES 3
Activities

To achieve its purpose, the Centre shall undertake the following activities:

    (a) to introduce and publicize in Japan, products industries and investment opportunities and tourism resources of the ASEAN member countries;

    (b) to manage the permanent ASEAN Trade, Investment and Tourism Exhibition Hall within the framework of the Centre;

    (c) to assist and advise, where appropriate, missions from and to the ASEAN member countries on trade, investment and tourism which will enhance the interest of the ASEAN member countries;

    (d) to serve as a channel for the meaningful exchange of information relevant to the enhancement of trade, investment and tourism of the ASEAN member countries including rules and regulations concerning market access, as well as to prepare and analyse data and information, and trends on markets;

    (e) to conduct researches and studies on trade, investment and tourism;

    (f) to provide Members and, as appropriate, related organizations and persons with information on trade, investment and tourism including those mentioned in subparagraph (4) above, as well as the results of researches and studies by the Centre;

    (g) to facilitate, whenever necessary, technical cooperation including transfer of technology related to trade, investment and tourism:

    (h) to maintain close cooperation in the fields of trade, investment and tourism with the Governments of the Members and relevant regional and international organizations; and

    (i) to undertake such other activities as may be deemed necessary to achieve the purpose of the Centre.


ARTICLE 4
Membership

Japan and the ASEAN member countries shall become Members of the Centre (referred to in this Agreement as "Member" or "Members" ) by becoming parties to this Agreement in accordance with Article XXII.


ARTICLE 5
Organization

The Centre shall have a Council, an Executive Board and a Secretariat.


ARTICLE 6
Council

  1. The Council shall consist of Directors. Each Member shall appoint one Director who shall represent such Member on the Council.

  2. The Council shall designate one of the Directors as Chairman. The Chairman shall hold office for a term of one year.

  3. The Chairman and the Secretary General shall not be nationals of the same Member.

  4. The Council shall be the supreme organ of the Centre and exercise, in addition to the powers and functions specified in other provisions of this Agreement, the powers and functions to:

      (a) decide on the plan of operation and work programme concerning the operation of the Centre;

      (b). approve the annual work programme and the budget and revenues and expenditures of the Centre within the framework of the plan of operation and work programme

      (c) approve the annual report on the operation of the centre;

      (d)appoint the Secretary General;

      (e) assign special functions to the Chairman;

      (f) determine the powers and functions to be entrusted to the Executive Board;

      (g) approve the terms and conditions for appointment of the Secretary General;

      (h) approve the acceptance of assistance referred to in Article X, paragraph 3;

      (i) consider and adopt amendments to this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Article XXI, paragraphs 1 and 2:

      (j) decide on the disposal of the property and assets of the Centre in case of the dissolution of the Centre, and on any other matters connected with the dissolution;

      (k) adopt its own rules of procedures; and

      (l) decide on and/or approve other important matters concerning the Centre.

  5. The Council shall hold an annual meeting and such other meetings as may be decided by the Council. The Council shall also hold a meeting whenever called by the Secretary General with the approval of the Chairman of the Council or at the request of a majority of the Directors.

  6. All the decisions of the Council shall be made by consensus.


ARTICLE 7
Executive Board

  1. The Executive Board shall consist of representatives appointed by Members. Each Member shall appoint one representative.

  2. The Executive Board shall elect its own Chairman.

  3. In order to ensure an effective operation of the Centre, the Executive Board shall supervise the activities of the Secretariat so that the decisions of the Council are effectively implemented and shall exercise, in addition to the powers and functions specified in other provisions of this Agreement, such powers and functions as may be entrusted to it by the Council. The Executive Board may advise the Secretary General as it may deem necessary.

  4. The Executive Board shall report to the Council.

  5. The Executive Board shall meet regularly or at any time as may be necessary.

  6. The Executive Board may establish, when necessary, ad-hoc committees on matters in various fields which fall within the purview of its powers and functions.

  7. All the decisions of the Executive Board shall be made by consensus.


ARTICLE 8
Secretariat

  1. The Secretariat shall consist of a Secretary General and such staff as the Centre may require who shall be nationals of Members.

  2. The Secretary General shall represent the Centre as its chief executive and shall be responsible to the Council and the Executive Board.

  3. The term of office of the Secretary General shall be three years and he may be reappointed. He shall, however, cease to hold office when the Council so decides.

  4. The Secretary General shall, in addition exercising the powers assigned to him expressed by this Agreement, execute the annual work programme and the annual budget and implemented the decision of the Council, under the supervision and advice of the Executive Board.

  5. The Secretary General shall prepare, inter alia, the draft annual work programmer the annual budget estimates and the annual report, and present them for approval to the annual meeting of the Council.

  6. The senior staff of the Secretariat shall be appointed by the Council on the recommendation of the Executive Board. The nomination for the senior staff shall be made by Secretary General. Other personnel of the Secretariat shall be appointed by the Secretary General.

  7. The terms and conditions of employment of the members of the senior staff and other personnel shall be set out in staff regulations approved by the Council.


ARTICLE 9
Official Language
 

The official language of the Centre shall be English.


ARTICLE 10
Finance

  1. Members shall contribute to the Centre, in accordance with the respective national laws and regulations, an agreed amount of money necessary for the operation of the Centre.

  2. Except for the rent of the permanent ASEAN Trade, Investment and Tourism Exhibition Hall, which shall be borne by Japan, the annual budget of the Centre shall be met in the following proportion : Japan: 90 per cent, the ASEAN member countries: 10 per cent.

  3. The Centre may, with the approval of the Council, accept assistance on-c grant basis from non-Member countries and organizations.


ARTICLE 11
Juridical Personality

The Centre shall possess juridical personality. It shall have the capacity:

    (a) to contract;
    (b) to acquire and dispose of movable and immovable property; and
    (c) to institute legal proceedings.


ARTICLE 12
Privileges and Immunities

  1. The Centre and the persons related to the activities of the Centre shall enjoy, in the territory of the country where the Headquarters of the Centre is located (hereinafter referred to as "the Host Country"),privileges and immunities in accordance with the provisions of Article XIII to XIX.

    • (a) For the furtherance of the purpose of this Agreement, the Centre may conclude, with one or more Members other than the Host Country, agreements on privileges and immunities which shall be approved by the Council.

      (b) Pending the conclusion of such agreements, Members shall grant, to the extent consistent with the respective national laws and regulations such privileges and immunities as may be necessary for the proper operation of the Centre.


ARTICLE 13
Privileges and Immunities on Property, Funds and Assets
 
  1. The Centre, its property and assets shall enjoy immunity from proceedings in the courts except in so far as in any particular case it has expressly waived its immunity. It is, however, understood that no waiver of immunity shall imply waiver of immunity in respect of the execution of judgment.

    The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply in case of civil proceedings related disputes arising out of contracts and out of damage caused by a vehicle.

  2. The archives of the Centre and in general all official papers and documents belonging to private papers of the officials of the Secretariat shall be held in a place entirely separate from the place where the official papers and documents are held.

  3. Without being restricted by financial control, regulations or moratoria of any kind,

      (a) the Centre may hold funds or currency of any kind and operate accounts in any currency;

      (b) the Centre may freely transfer its funds or currency from or to the Host Country, or within the territory of the Host Country, and convert any currency held by it into any other currency.

  4. In exercising the right- as provided for in paragraph 3 above, the Centre shall comply with the formalities laid down in national laws of the Host Country and shall pay due regard to any representations made by the Host Country in so far as it is considered that effect can be given to such representations without detriment to the interests of the Centre.

  5. The Centre, its assets, income and other property shall be:

      (a) exempt from all direct taxes except those which are, in fact, no more than charges for public utility services;

      (b) exempt from customs duties and from prohibitions and restrictions on imports and exports in respect of articles imported or exported by the Centre for its official use; it is understood, how ever, that articles imported under such exemption shall not be sold in the Host Country except under conditions agreed upon with the Host Country;

      (c) exempt from customs duties and prohibitions and restrictions on imports and exports in respect of the publications imported or exported by the Centre for its official use.

  6. While the Centre will not, as a general rule, claim exemption from excise duties and from taxes on the sale of movable and immovable property which form part of the price to be paid, nevertheless when the Centre is making important purchases for official use of property on which such duties and taxes have been charged or are chargeable, the Host Country shall, whenever possible, make appropriate administrative arrangements for the remission or return of the amount of duty or tax.


ARTICLE 14
Duty-Free Entry and Other Facilities to
Produce for Promotion

The Host Country shall, in accordance with its relevant laws and regulations, give duty free entry and every facility and assistance in the import of goods and materials of the ASEAN member countries for promotional display and where appropriate, for subsequent distribution of such goods and materials as free samples. The Host Country shall also, in accordance with its relevant laws and regulations, give every facility and assistance in the subsequent sales of such goods and materials.


ARTICLE 15
Facilities in respect of Communications

In respect of its official communications, the Centre shall, in the territory of the Host Country and in so far as may be compatible with any international conventions, regulations and arrangements to which the Host Country is a party, enjoy treatment not less favourable than that accorded by the Host Country to any other international organization, in the matter of priorities, rates and taxes for post and telecommunications.


ARTICLE 16
Privileges and Immunities of the Officials of the Secretariat

  1. The officials of the Secretariat shall:

      (a) be exempt from taxation on the salaries and emoluments paid to them by the Centre;

      (b) be immune, together with their spouses and relatives dependent on them, from immigration restrictions, alien registration and national service obligations;

      (c) have the right to import free of duty furniture and effects for the use of them-selves and their families at the time of first taking up their post at the Centre;

      (d) be accorded in respect of exchange facilities treatment not less favourable than that accorded to officials of comparable rank of any other international organizations.

  2. The Host Country may not apply the provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article to officials who are nationals of or ordinarily resident in the Host Country.

  3. Privileges and immunities are accorded to officials in the interests of the Centre only and not for their personal benefit. Consequently, the Executive Board upon the recommendation by the Secretary General, has the right and duty to waive the immunity of any official in any case where, in its opinion, the immunity would impede realisation of justice and can be waived without prejudice to interests of the Centre. The Council of the Centre has the right and duty to waive the immunity accorded to the Secretary General.

  4. The officials of the Secretariat to which the provisions of this Article shall apply shall be the Secretary General, senior officials and other officials categories of which shall be determined by the Council. The Secretary General shall notify the Members of the names and addresses of those officials.


ARTICLE 17
Entry Facilities

  1. The Host Country shall facilitate the entry of the following persons into its territory where they are visiting on their official missions:

      (a) Directors and representatives of the other Members participating in the meetings prescribed in Articles VI and VII together with their spouses;

      (b) the Secretary General and other officials of the Secretariat together with their spouses and relatives dependent on them;

      (c) other persons invited by the Centre.

  2. The provisions of paragraph 1 above does not mean that the entrants mentioned in that paragraph are exempted from complying with national laws of the Host Country relating to entry matters.


ARTICLE 18
Abuse of Privileges

  1. The Centre shall cooperate at all times with the appropriate authorities of the Host Country to prevent the occurrence of any abuse in connection with the privileges, immunities and facilities conferred by this Agreement.

  2. If the Host Country considers that there has been an abuse of a privilege or immunity conferred by this Agreement, consultations shall be held between the Host Country and the Centre to determine whether any such abuse has occurred and, if so, to ensure that no repetition of such abuse occurs.


ARTICLE 19
Settlement of Disputes

The Centre shall make provisions for appropriate modes of settlement of :

    (a) disputes of a private law character to which the Centre is a party other than those referred to in Article XIII, paragraph 1; and

    (b) disputes involving any official of the Secretariat who enjoys immunity under the provisions of this Agreement, if immunity has not been waived in accordance with Article XVI, paragraph 3.


ARTICLE 20
Withdrawal

  1. Any Member may at any time withdraw from this Agreement by giving notice in writing to that effect to the Depository Authorities.
  2. Upon receiving such a notice,. the Depository Authorities shall inform' the Members thereof

  3. The Member shall cease to be a party to this Agreement at the end of the fiscal year of the Centre in which such notification is made. Such withdrawal shall not affect the financial obligations of that Member outstanding at the time when its withdrawal takes effect.


ARTICLE 21
Amendments

  1. Any Member may propose amendments to this Agreement. A proposed amendment shall be communicated to the Secretary General who shall communicate it to the other Members at least six months in advance of the consideration by the Council.

  2. Amendments to this Agreement shall come into force upon the adoption by the Council. However, the amendments involving following matters shall require subsequent acceptance by all Members before they come into force:

      (a) fundamental alteration in the purpose or the functions of the Centre;

      (b) change relating to the right to withdraw from this Agreement;

      (c) introduction of new obligations for Members;

      (d) change in the provisions regarding privileges and immunities of the Centre and the persons related to the activities of the Centre; and

      (e) other matters determined by the Council as important.

  3. Acceptance by the Members of amendments to this Agreement shall be effected by the deposit of instruments of acceptance with the Depository Authorities.


ARTICLE 22
Signature, Ratification and Acceptance

  1. This Agreements shall be open for signature by Japan and the ASEAN member countries. It shall be subject to ratification or acceptance by the Signatories.

  2. Instruments of ratification and acceptance shall be deposited with the Government of Japan and the ASEAN Secretariat, which are hereby designated as Depository Authorities.


ARTICLE 23
Entry into Force

This Agreement shall enter into force on the date on which Japan and all the -ASEAN member countries have deposited instruments of ratification or acceptance.


ARTICLE 24
Duration

This Agreement shall remain in force for five years, and thereafter may be extended for additional fixed periods by decision of the Council.


ARTICLE 25
Deposit

This Agreement shall be deposited with the Depository Authorities which shall send certified copies thereof to Japan and the ASEAN member countries.


IN WITNESS WHERE OF the undersigned representatives being duly authorized thereto, have signed the present Agreement.


DONE at Tokyo, in duplicate, in the English language, this twenty-second day of December, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Eighty.





 
Joint Communique of the First Japan-ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting
Tokyo, 26-27 November 1979


1 . A Meeting between the Economic Ministers of Japan and the ASEAN Economic Ministers as held in Tokyo on November 26-27, 1979.

2. Japan as represented by Their Excellencies Dr. Saburo Okita, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Noboru Takeshita, Minister of Finance, Mr. Kabun Muto, Minister, of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mr. Yoshitake Sasak, Minister of International Trade and industry and Mr. Keijiro Shoji, Minister f Economic Planning Agency.

3. ASEAN was represented by Their Excellencies Mr. Radius Prawiro, Minister of Trade and Cooperatives, Indonesia; Dato Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and industry and Datuk Paul Leong, Minister of Primary Industries of Malaysia; Dr. Gerardo P. Sicat, Minister for Economic Planning and Dr. Vicente B. Valdepenas, Jr., Deputy Minister of Trade of the Philippines; Mr. Goh Chok Tong, Minister of Trade and industry, Singapore; and Dr. Upadit Wiriyawt, Deputy Minister of industry, Mr. Prok Amaranand, Deputy Minister of Commerce, Mr. Arporna Sribhibhad, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand. His Excellency Datuk Ali bin Abdullah, Secretary-General of the ASEAN Secretariat was also present at the Meeting.

4. The Meeting as opened by H.E. Mr. Masayoshi Ohira, the Prime Minister of Japan. In his opening address, Prime Minister Ohira stated that he welcomed the expanding interchanges and cooperation between Japan and ASEAN in all fields, and expressed his determination that he would continue to expand and strengthen Japan-ASEAN cooperative relations for the stability and development of Asia as a whole. Prime Minister Ohira also stated that he would shortly visit China and emphasized that increasing relations between Japan and China would not imply any change in Japan’s posture and policy toward ASEAN.

5. The Economic Minister of Japan and the ASEAN Economic Minister exchanged views on matters relating to the economic relations between Japan and ASEAN as well as the world economic situation as a whole. They took note of the increasing importance of economic interdependence between nations and the need for maintaining world economic order and stability.


Japan and ASEAN on the threshold of the 1980's

6 . The Economic Ministers of Japan explained japans policy in their respective areas of responsibilities, and referring to the importance of the collaboration with ASEAN, stated that they would continue to promote operation with ASEAN.

7 . In response to the Statements by the Japanese Delegation on ASEAN and Japan Economic Cooperation in the 1980s, the ASEAN Economic Ministers reiterated the broad principles that guide ASEAN in its conduct of dialogues with third countries.

8. The ASEAN Economic Ministers also laid emphasis on expanded cooperative arrangements in various areas in the future. Among those stressed were the importance of commodities for ASEAN economy , importance of international commodity agreement and Common Fund, the establishment by Japan of a stabilisation of earnings (STABEX) scheme for ASEAN exports to Japan; the increase in the loan assistance of Japan to the ASEAN industrial projects to cover cost overruns and other adjustments; the review and re-orientation by Japan of its development assistance programme to support the new development strategies of ASEAN in the 1980s, as ell as the streamlining of loan procedures; the creation by Japan of the mechanisms for economic cooperation between ASEAN and Japan; the relocation of same Japanese industries to ASEAN and the transfer of technology through joint ventures in sectors supportive of ASEAN development as ell as the provision of adequate access to the Japanese market of the products of the relocated industry improvements, in the GSP and further relaxation of tariff and non-tariff barriers affecting products of export interest to ASEAN; and Japanese assistance to strengthen the work of the Technical Secretariat of the ASEAN Committee on Industry, Minerals and Energy (COIME).

9. The Economic Ministers of Japan and the ASEAN Economic Ministers noted with satisfaction that the cooperative relations between Japan and ASEAN were being consolidated in a broad range of fields, and agreed that Japan and ASEAN would continue close consultation and further expand their cooperation in order to secure peace and prosperity in Asia.


Review and Prospect of Japan-ASEAN Cooperation

10. The Economic Ministers of Japan and the ASEAN Economic Ministers discussed cooperative relations between Japan and ASEAN in various fields such as (1) economic cooperation, (2) cooperation in science and technology, (3) commodities, (4) trade, and (5) investment.


Economic Cooperation

11. The Economic Ministers of Japan expressed their determination that, in order to positively support the economic development of developing countries, Japan would further expand its economic cooperation both in quality and quantity ill accordance with such policies as doubling its official development assistance within three years and softening the terms of its assistance. They stated that it is Japan’s policy to continue to place highest priority on the ASEAN region. They further stated that, in implementing this policy, Japan would put more emphasis on assisting development of human resources through training of personnel, which provides the basis for nation building, and n cooperation 1. the field of agricultural development, energy and construction of infrastructure.

12. The ASEAN Economic Ministers noted such policy and expressed their desire that Japan would increase the magnitude and flexibility of its official development assistance (ODA) and align its ODA priorities with the development objectives of ASEAN countries in the eighties, including rural-Agricultural projects, income redistribution projects and other development programmes. The Economic Ministers of Japan responded that Japan would take desires of ASEAN into account in formulating Japan’s economic cooperation. In addition to the flow of the official resources tile ASEAN Economic Ministers also asked for the continued access to the other sources of funds available in and throgh Japan.

13. The Economic Ministers of Japan and the ASEAN Economic Ministers expressed their satisfaction on the implementation of ASEAN Urea Project in Indonesia as the first of the ASEAN industrial projects.

14. The ASEAN Economic Ministers expressed their appreciation for the financial assistance extended by Japan in the implementation of an ASEAN Industrial Project. In this connection, they hoped that the Government of Japan would streamline its procedures involved in obtaining loan financing for the ASEAN Industrial Projects so as to expedite the implementation of these Projects. in addition, the ASEAN Economic Ministers stated their stand that the same financing terms and conditions granted to the first ASEAN industrial Project should be applicable to all approved ASEAN Industrial Projects because these Projects have been conceived as ASEAN regional projects.

15. The Economic Ministers of Japan replied that, while appreciating the regional nature, -various forms of financial assistance would be extended on concessional terms to the extent possible in accordance with the nature and requirement of the projects, as stated in the joint Statement of the Meeting of the Prime Minister of Japan and ASEAN Heads of Government of 7 August, 1977. Thus, the concessional terms of financial assistance would be determined on a case-by-case basis.

16. The ASEAN Economic Ministers, however, reemphasized the special economic and political significance of the ASEAN Industrial Projects. they expressed their strong desire that Japan should extend the same terms of financing to all approved ASEAN Industrial Projects.


Cooperation in Science and Technology

17. The Economic Ministers of Japan and the ASEAN Economic Ministers reaffirmed their desire to step p cooperation in the field of science and technology, particularly aimed at development endogenous scientific and technological capability of the ASEAN countries. ASEAN considered Japan I its major partner in this aspect by virtue of the fact that Japan is a leading foreign investor in and supplier of technology to the ASEAN countries.

18. The Meeting also stressed the need for cooperation in science and technology. Such it cooperation could include the following activities:
    (i) Strengthening and developing existing research Organizations and infrastructure within ASEAN including scientific and technological support services;

    (ii) Upgrading the manpower capabilities of ASEAN in strategic and priority technological fields with particular emphasis on advanced and intermediate levels of training;

    (iii) Facilitating the transfer of appropriate technology through, inter alia, the establishment of ASEAN Centers for appropriate technology in each of the ASEAN countries through existing institutions

    (iv) Establishing effective linkages among scientific and technological institutions,

    (v) Promoting the systematic dissemination of scientific and technological information.
19. The ASEAN Economic Ministers, in order to upgrade and apply modern production techniques in improving the manufacturing process in the countries, requested the Government of Japan to provide expertise to ASEAN countries. The Economic Ministers f Japan agreed that the Government of Japan would provide expertise, including those from private sector the maximum extent, within the framework of technical cooperation to meet the ASEAN requirements.

20. Taking note of the desires of ASEAN, the Economic Ministers f Japan stated their intention to promote the development f human resources, the intensification of technical cooperation to train expert engineers, educational cooperation and cooperation for the development of local communities.

21. The Economic Ministers of Japan shared strong interest in expanding scientific and technical cooperation with ASEAN. In addition to above measures, the ASEAN Economic Ministers expressed a desire for setting up of a special find for this purpose by Japan. Economic Ministers of Japan and the ASEAN Economic Ministers agreed to continue consultations at an expert level awith a view to expanding technical cooperation expeditiously to meet the needs of ASEAN.


Commodities

22. The ASEAN Economic Ministers stressed the importance of commodities to the ASEAN economics and expressed their expectation for the continued support of Japan for ASEANs positions in the negotiations and the implementation of the various elements of the integrated Programe for commodities, including the Common Fund.

23. The Economic Ministers of Japan recognized the importance of commodities to ASEAN economies and expressed their readiness to continue working closely with ASEAN in various international fora dealing with commodity matters such as international commodity agreements, an the Common Fund.

24. In response to the requests by the ASEAN Economic Ministers concerning the announcement of a voluntary contribution to the Second Window of the Common Fund, the Economic Minister of Japan stated that the Government of Japan is in the process of studying this matter.

25. The ASEAN Ministers also stressed the need for establishment of STABEX scheme with Japan in the near future. The Economic Ministers of Japan expressed their understanding for ASEANs desire establishing a STABEX arrangements with Japan, and, since there still main a number of issues to be resolved, suggested that the discussion at the expert level be accelerated.

26. The Economic Ministers of Japan reiterated the. support f Kuala Lumpur as the site for the headquarters of the International Natural Rubber Organization. The ASEAN Economic Minister expressed their, appreciation to Japan for its support.


Trade

27. Being m or trading partners, ASEAN and Japan will endeavour to expand their trade, with special emphasis on Increasing ASEAN export of manufactures and semi-manufactures to Japan. The Economic Ministers of Japan referred to the fact that ASEANs non-oil exports to Japan have been progressively increasing and expressed their expectation that this trend would continue.

28. The Economic Ministers of Japan, indicating that the rapid expansion. of trade between Japan and ASEAN as achieved particularly through the increase of japans imports from ASEAN, inter alia. manufactured products, stated that such trade trend showed that development of domestic industries in the ASEAN countries vas well-under way and various measures taken by the Government of Japan to improve access to the Japanese markets were taking effect.

29. The ASEAN. Economic Ministers, in order to further expand the trade between Japan and ASEAN requested Japan to relax tariff and non- tariff measures on products of interest to ASEAN, to improve Japans GSP as well as its Cumulative Rules of Origin, and to take such other means as sending import missions to the ASEAN countries, and make available various government import facilities of Japan to ASEAN products and to improve import procedures. In this connection, they expressed their hope that Japan speed up the consideration and implementation of proposals in ASEANs Memorandum on Improvements to the General system of Preferences Scheme tabled at the Third ASEAN-Japan Forum.

30. The Economic Ministers of Japan emphasized that, in MTN, Japan had made its utmost efforts for the realization of requests from developing countries, especially those of the ASEAN countries and hoped that implementation of the MTN agreements would contribute to the expansion of exports of ASEAN in the future. Therefore, they expect the full participation of as many countries as possible in these agreements mad, in the MTN. The Economic Ministers of ASEAN agreed that early implementation f tariff and non-tariff agreements in the MTN will help improve access for ASEAN export to Japan..

31. With regard to further improvement on the tariffs and the GSP, the Economic Ministers of Japan, while asking for understanding of the ASEAN side about difficulties which might be caused in Japans economy, stated that the Government of Japan would study the possibility of such improvement in the future, taking to consideration requests made by ASEAN. They also stated that Japan would endeavour to maintain GSP beyond 1981. On the Rules of Cumulative Origin, more information should be disseminated to encourage its use. As to the ASEANs request to improve the rules, they proposed that its background and facts be studied at an early date among experts.

32. The Economic Ministers of Japan further stated that, in order to support ASEANs effort to expand their exports to Japan, Japan is taking various measures such as implementation of market researches, convening of various trade seminars, dispatch of import promotion missions and establishment of the, provisional ASEAN Promotion Center for Trade, Investment and Tourism, and that Japan would continue to cooperate as much as possible it the ASEANs initiative for cultivating the Japanese markets.

33. Recognising the importance of small and medium-scale companies, the Economic Minister of Japan agreed to provide more opportunities and facilities to them to import from ASEAN.


Investment

34. The ASEAN Economic Ministers noted, with appreciation, the assistance that Japan had provided to ASEAN in the field of industrial development.

35. On the issues connected with ASEAN-Japan cooperation in investment, the ASEAN Economic Ministers, while appreciating the assistance extended by Japan in carrying out of feasibility studies on certain ASEAN Industrial Projects, requested that an immediate study be undertaken of the proposed pulp and paper projects in ASEAN, starting in the first quarter of 1980. The Economic Ministers of Japan expressed their readiness generally to carry out feasibility studies of the projects of regional nature within the annual programme of technical cooperation of Japan.

36. The ASEAN Economic Ministers also stressed the need to relocate in ASEAN, those Japanese industries which depend on ASEAN for their raw materials. The ASEAN Economic Ministers also emphasized that, in the decade of the 80s, Japanese industries should concentrate on the manufacture of products involving high level of technology, less sophisticated industries should be relocated in ASEAN and Japan is requested to provide access to its market for the product of these industries.

37. The Economic Ministers of Japan explained that the structural changes currently taking place in the Japanese industrial sector could give rise to the above-mentioned phenomena depending upon competitiveness of individual industries.

38. The Economic Ministers of Japan and the ASEAN Economic Ministers noted with satisfaction the close relationship between the private sectors of ASEAN and Japan. They agreed that this relationship should be further strengthened. In this connection, the Economic Ministers of Japan took note of the ASEAN proposal to have an ASEAN-Japan Conference on industrial Cooperation in Tokyo.

39. The Economic Ministers of Japan stated that japans external private investment was liberalized in principle, and expressed their hope that ASEAN continue to make effort to further improve the investment climate so that japans overseas private investment will continue to expand smoothly in harmony with the ASEAN societies. The ASEAN Economic Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to maintain an attractive investment climate in ASEAN to facilitate more Japanese investment in ASEAN.

40. The Economic Ministers of Japan stressed t e importance of concluding agreements to protect investment and to avoid double taxation. Conclusion

41. The Meeting as held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, reflecting the close ties between Japan and ASEAN.

42. The Economic Ministers of Japan and the ASEAN Economic Ministers highly appreciated that this Meeting was successful in further expanding the cooperative relations between Japan and ASEAN and promoting mutual understanding between them.


Acknowledgment

43. The ASEAN delegations expressed their deep appreciation to the Government and people of Japan for the arrangements of the Meeting and the hospitality accorded to them.
 

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