INGENIEUR
operating costs for businesses, and is particularly
beneficial for MSMEs.
In view of these potential contributions of
e-Commerce to support regional economic
integration in ASEAN, ASEAN shall intensify
cooperation on e-Commerce building upon Article
5 of e-ASEAN Framework Agreement adopted by
ASEAN Leaders in November 2000, with a view to
develop an ASEAN Agreement on e-Commerce to
facilitate cross-border e-Commerce transactions
in ASEAN. These could include, but are not limited
to, strategic measures such as putting in place the
following:
(i) Harmonised consumer rights and
protection laws;
(ii) Harmonised legal framework for online
dispute resolution, taking into account
available international standards;
(iii) Inter-operable, mutually recognised,
secure, reliable and user friendly
e -identification and authorisation
(electronic signature) schemes; and
(iv) Coherent and comprehensive framework
for personal data protection.
Energy
With a strategic theme “Enhancing energy
connectivity and market integration in ASEAN
to achieve energ y security, accessibility,
affordability and sustainability for all,” the ASEAN
Plan of Action for Energy Co-operation (APAEC)
2016-2025 will be implemented in two phases,
namely, Phase I from 2016-2020 and Phase II
from 2021-2025. Strategic measures include the
following:
ASEAN Power Grid (APG): Initiate multilateral
electricity trade in at least one sub-region in
ASEAN by 2018;
Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline (TAGP): Enhance
connectivity within ASEAN for energy security
and accessibility via pipelines and re-gasification
terminals;
Coal and Clean Coal Technology: Enhance
the image of coal in ASEAN through promotion of
clean coal technologies (CCT) as well as increase
the number of CCT projects by 2020;
Energy Efficiency and Conservation: Reduce
energy intensity in ASEAN by 20% as a mediumterm target in 2020 and 30% as a long-term target
in 2025, based on 2005 level;
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Renewable Energy (RE): Increase the
component of RE to a mutually agreed percentage
number in the ASEAN Energy Mix (Total Primary
Energy Supply) by 2020;
Regional Policy and Planning: Better profile
the ASEAN energy sector internationally through
an annual publication on ASEAN Energy Cooperation; and
Civilian Nuclear Energy: Build capabilities
on nuclear energy, including nuclear regulatory
systems, amongst officials in ASEAN Member
States.
Strengthening the Role of Micro, Small, and
Medium Enterprises
MSMEs are the backbone of the ASEAN
economies. However, globalisation, advances
in technologies and communications, trade
liberalisation and the evolution of the production
processes pose challenges which need to be
better addressed as ASEAN continues to deepen
its economic integration. Work has to be focused
mainly on enhancing networking, information flows
and capacity building for Government agencies
working on issues and capabilities building in
the following dimensions: access to finance,
technology and innovation, markets, human
resource development and enabling policy and
regulatory environment.
A more structured and targeted MSME
programme will be instituted to enhance MSME
competitiveness, resilience and to enable greater
benefits from ASEAN integration. Initiatives
towards an improved conducive policy environment
for MSMEs and enhanced market-related
measures are required to support these objectives,
and to drive MSME productivity and innovation as
well as inclusive and equitable development, and
gender opportunities for micro enterprises and
SMEs. In meeting these aspirations for a globally
competitive and innovative MSME sector that is
seamlessly integrated into the ASEAN community
and contributes to inclusive development, the
following strategic measures will have to be
implemented:
(i) Promote productivity, technology and
innovation through measures to enhance
MSME productivity by understanding
key trends in productivity; build industry
clusters through industrial linkages,