LETTERS: THE Asean Business Advisory Council (Asean BAC), the Apex private sector organisation for Asean, together with its Joint Business Council (JBC) partners and other partner organisations, have published a nine-point Joint Statement.
In it, they called for more collective action by Asean member states in their fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and in the development of a post-pandemic economic recovery for the Asean region.
Among the most important points made by Asean BAC and JBC to Asean members are:
• Establishment of a High-Level Special Commission to ensure better collaboration and cohesiveness across the region both in dealing with the current pandemic and also to ensure that Asean comes out stronger, more integrated and globally competitive;
• Support to be given from a Special Business Advisory Board to ensure private sector backing; and
• Focus on priority sectors: travel, essential goods and related supply chains, medical services and digital tools.
Speaking about the Joint Statement, Asean BAC Chairman Dr Doan Duy Khuong said: "These are extraordinary and unprecedented times which we believe calls for urgent, extraordinary and unprecedented action from Asean.
"The time for Asean to prove its collective strength to mitigate the worst impacts of the ongoing pandemic and ensure the long-term prosperity and wellness of its people through fast action is now."
He added: "The pandemic continues to exact a huge toll on the region. Not just on those who have unfortunately suffered directly from Covid-19, but on all the communities, employees and businesses throughout Asean.
"However, the pandemic also presents an opportunity to Asean to demonstrate that its 10-member states can work cohesively and responsively together both to effectively contain the spread of the virus and to aim for the best possible post-pandemic economic recovery, thus ensuring that Asean can be greater than the sum of its constituent parts.
"But to do that, the normal Asean way of working will not suffice which is why we are proposing this bold and innovative Special Commission today. No one country can overcome this pandemic alone. Bold and decisive steps are needed if Asean is to make the best possible economic recovery and remain a beacon for global trade."
As for the Chairman of Asean-BAC Malaysia, Tan Sri Munir Majid, he stressed that: "The Asean machinery, such as it is, cannot operate as if it is 'business as usual' in this unprecedented situation the world is in."
The Joint Statement notes that "for post-pandemic economic recovery, it is even more important that the region work as one", pointing out that "economic recovery will not be quick and simple, but there will be significant opportunities for Asean to take advantage of the expected rapid recalibration of supply chains globally, and position itself as a destination of choice in global markets for the production of goods and the provision of services to support manufacturing.
"Investment funds will be scarce going forward, and so Asean will need to demonstrate that it is truly open for business, has competitive advantages, and has the right policies in place to help businesses grow, export and develop skills.
"In this area, the Special Commission should be considering making sweeping advances on the AEC (Asean Economic Community) immediately, removing non-tariff barriers to trade and investment restrictions and cutting bureaucracy."
The Joint Statement is supported by the Australia-Asean Business Council, AustCham Asean, Asean-New Zealand Business Council, Canada-Asean Business Council, EU-Asean Business Council, UK-Asean Business Council and the US-Asean Business Council.
ASEAN BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL (ASEAN BAC)
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times