The ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN economic integration

Figures & data

Table 1. Four pillars and core elements of the AEC Blueprint

Pillars	Core elements
A.Single market and production base	1. Free flow of goods, 2. Free flow of services, 3. Free flow of investment, 4. Free flow of capital, 5. Free flow of skilled labor, 5. Priority integration sectors, 6. Food, agriculture, and forestry
B.Competitive economic region	1. Competition policy, 2. Consumer protection, 3. Intellectual property rights, 4. Infrastructure development, 5. Taxation, 6. E-commerce
C.Equitable economic development	1.SME development, 2. Initiative for ASEAN development
D.Integration into global economy	1.Coherent approach toward external economic relations, 2. Enhanced participation in global supply networks

ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint.

Table 2. Characteristics and key elements of the AEC Blueprint 2025

Characteristics	Elements
A. A highly integrated and cohesive economy	1.Trade in goods, 2. Trade in services, 3. Investment environment, 4. Financial integration, financial inclusion, and financial stability, 5. Facilitating movement of skilled labor and business visitors, 6. Enhancing participation in global value chains
B. A competitive, innovative and dynamic ASEAN	1. Effective competition policy, 2. Consumer protection, 3. Strengthening intellectual property rights cooperation, 4. Productivity driven growth, Innovation0, Research and development, and Technology Commercialization. 5. Taxation cooperation. 6. Good governance, 7. Effective, efficient, coherent and responsive regulations, and good regulatory practice, 8. Sustainable economic development, 9. Global megatrends and emerging trade-related Issues
C. Enhanced connectivity and sectoral cooperation	1. Transport, 2. Information and communication technology, 3. e-Commerce, 4. Energy, 5. Food, agriculture and forestry, 6. Tourism, 7. Healthcare, 8. Minerals, 9. Science and technology
D. A resilient, inclusive, people-oriented and people-centered ASEAN	1. Strengthening the role of micro, small, and medium enterprises, 2. Strengthening the role of the private sector, 3. Public-private partnerships, 4. Narrowing the development gap, 5. Contribution of stakeholders to Regional integration efforts
E. Global ASEAN	Develop a more strategic and coherent approach toward external economic relation with a view to adopting common positions in regional and global economic fora, Review and improve FTAs, Enhance economic partnership with non-FTA dialogue partners, etc.

ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Economic Community 2025 Blueprint.

Table 3. Number of elements, strategic measures, and key action lines of CSAP (updated in August 2018)

Characteristics	Element	Strategic Measures	Key Action Lines
A．A highly integrated and cohesive economy	6	26	106
B. Competitive, innovative and dynamic ASEAN	9	47	116
C. Enhanced connectivity and sectoral cooperation	9	51	233
D. A resilient, inclusive, people-oriented and people-centered ASEAN	5	23	87
F.Global ASEAN	1	6	14
Total	30	153	556

ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Economic Community 2025 Consolidated Strategic Action Plan, Updated on August 2018

Table 4. Comparison of goals of the ASEAN economic community, the European community, and economic partnership agreements

	European Economic Community (EC)	ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)	Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
Tariff elimination	○	○	○
Non-tariff barrier elimination	○	○ (＊)	Δ
Common external tariff	○	×	×
Service trade liberalization	○	○ (＊)	Δ
Harmonization of standards	○	Δ	Δ
Free movement of natural persons	○	Δ	Δ
Trade facilitation	○	○	○
Investment liberalization	○	○	○
Capital liberalization	○	Δ	Δ
Government procurement liberalization	○	×	Δ
Single currency	○	×	×

○ indicates a goal, Δ indicates a goal but limited, and × indicates that it is not a goal. * Indicates a goal but difficult to achieve, or partially achieved. However, this is not a strict evaluation.

Source: Created by the author.