ABAC Malaysia calls for bold decisions by ASEAN towards AEC

The ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Malaysia says its imperative for members of the regional grouping to show progress in making the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) a reality.

Chairman Tan Sri Dr Mohd Munir Abdul Majid said the leaders must show the people of ASEAN why the AEC is important.

"Affirmative action is needed. We don't want the AEC to be a 'damp squib' (in failing to live up to expectations) when they announce it at year-end," he told Bernama.

ABAC, had in March at the 21st ASEAN Economic Ministers' Retreat in Kota Bharu, outlined seven proposals covering eight sectors.

It included expanding retail e-commerce transactions and boosting entrepreneurship among youths and women in the region.

The proposals, termed, "Take Action Now" and for implementation ideally before the AEC takes shape by year-end, are not purely economic. They have high symbolic value with a substantial impact on the degree of the region's integration into a single economy.

"The proposals can achieve something, if they push hard, and like an ASEAN lane at airports, an ASEAN business travel card and ASEAN food. So, let it be an ASEAN thing," said Munir.

Established in 2003 by ASEAN leaders to represent the private sector, ABAC comprises 30 council members, including three from each of the 10 member countries, and with at least one from the Small Medium Enterprise (SME) sector.

Meanwhile, Munir highlighted that the upcoming 26th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi from April 24-28, looms as the most important ever for the region.

He expressed confidence that Malaysia will try to push hard in securing favourable deals with member countries, but conceded that the outcome was also dependent on the response of the others to make fast decisions.

"We have to move away from subscribing to the 'ASEAN way", which normally involves talking and discussing with each other in a very polite way. As ASEAN Chair, Malaysia needs to push harder in showing the way forward," he said.

Meanwhile, if ASEAN is indeed taking the 2015 deadline seriously in realising the AEC dream, the next eight months will be very crucial towards putting in place the right plans, infrastructure and environment, to enhance the competitiveness of the region, as well as the individual countries.

This also means looking at ASEAN as a single entity, rather than just a 10- nation grouping.

Amid its dynamic economic growth and an increasing middle-income population, the ASEAN region has been on a transformation path to becoming an important consumer market.

Things can only get better. That is, if ASEAN members are ready to get their act together, and make the AEC a meaningful manifestation.