TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel on February 28-March 1 is taking part in informal meetings with ASEAN ministers in Kota Baharu, Kelantan, Malaysia to discuss ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint and its implementation slated for January 1, 2016.
As ASEAN chair, Malaysia seeks to ensure that AEC can be established at the end of December so that it could be ready by January 2016. “This meeting also prioritizes two things, the implementation of measures in AEC and the accomplishment of post-2015 vision,” said Gobel.
Malaysia has proposed several things to achieve during its ASEAN leadership in 2015. Among them are the 10th Package of ASEAN Framework Agreement of Services (AFAS), ASEAN SME Development Strategic Plan and ASEAN Trade Facilitation Agreement (AFTA).
Gobel said Indonesia would support Malaysia, yet highlighted there were some things that needed to be considered, including the fact that ASEAN country members had different capacity and legal systems. “I hope with all the instructions from ASEAN ministers, all issues can be addressed,” he said.
PINGIT ARIA
