ASEAN focuses on removal on non-tariff barriers in four sectors in 2016

ASEAN focuses on the removal of non-tariff barriers in four sectors this year, ASEAN Business Advisory Council Malaysia Chairman Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid said.

He identified the sectors as agrifood, healthcare, logistics and retail, including e-commerce.

"We are working very hard to make sure that the private sector participates in working groups to address problems in the prioritised four sectors," he told a media conference on the 'ASEAN Economic Community: Progress and Achievements', here today.

Munir said the Malaysian corporate sector needed to acquaint itself with the four sectors and keep tabs on their progress to prepare for and take advantage of the non-tariff barriers removal.

He said the council worked very hard last year to ensure that the private sector was recognised specifically as collaborator in the ASEAN 2025 Blueprint and the region's economic integration process.

Hence, the private sector must play a more active role in the ASEAN integration process, not just in making business, but participate in providing solutions, he said.

Munir said ABAC was at the apex of these contributions and collaborations by the private sector in making sure that the economic integration would be more meaningful, breaking down barriers and inhibitions.

"It (ABAC) has to engage the 19-member ASEAN business councils and collaborate with 66 known industry and professionalisation which have an ASEAN interest (at heart).

"We want expertise in those four sectors, there is a private sector international body for food and agriculture that can provide the expertise that (can) participate in the group and make a difference," he said.

Munir said the ASEAN enterprise provides vast opportunities to the private sector to participate in the process of ensuring a more a seamless integration.

"It is like a functional democracy, the private sector participating in decision making," he said.

ABAC ensures that Malaysian companies participate actively and not only taking advantage of the ASEAN market, but also find solutions to the problems that have been identified, he added.