Expect closer ASEAN integration on trade by year end: official
Lim Jock Hoi speaks at the 3rd ASEAN Media Forum in Bangkok on Monday. Photo – ASEAN Secretarit
All ASEAN members, including Myanmar, will be connected under the ASEAN Single Window (ASW) before the end of this year, officials of the regional body say.
The ASW’s objective is to expedite cargo clearance and promote ASEAN economic integration by enabling the electronic exchange of border documents among ASEAN member states.
During the 3rd ASEAN Media Forum in Bangkok on Monday, Lim Jock Hoi, secretary general of ASEAN, said the regional body is looking forward to implementing the project and has been working closely with businesses and other stakeholders in the ASEAN region to make sure that the initiative is on track.
“In terms of trade facilitation, we must reject the zero-sum approach to international economic relations and conclude the negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP),” Lim said.
Myanmar has been working on a national single-window system since 2015 as part of its commitment to join the ASW, which aims to connect the 10 ASEAN members’ customs departments and speed up the time it takes for cargo to be cleared.
In November 2016, the government announced the Myanmar Customs Intelligence System (MCIS) and Myanmar Automated Cargo Clearance System (MACCS) to facilitate the application process for exporters.
According to the government, Myanmar is now ready for end-to-end connectivity testing and aims to join the live operation of the ASW by this year.
Last November, parliament approved the formation of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations headed by U Thaung Tun, who is also chair of the Myanmar Investment Commission and national security adviser. Part of the new ministry’s purview is to simplify processes for foreign direct investment to enter the country.
“There is endless red tape involved in getting permits. To solve the problem, it is necessary for the ministry to implement a single-window system to reduce red tape so things will be quicker and more convenient for investors,” U Thaung Tun said.
He added that under the single-window system, the new ministry will make the necessary decisions based on a list of standard procedures agreed on by all the relevant ministries that will facilitate investment in the country.
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