ASEAN Countries To Continuously Reduce Non-Tariff Measures

KOTA BAHARU (Kelantan, Malaysia), March 2 (Bernama) -- Member countries will continuously reduce non-tariff measures and non-tariff barriers for freer intra ASEAN trade, said International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed Sunday. Mustapa said 69 non-tariff measures had been identified, and of this, 45 had been resolved. "We have decided to make more progress. We have identified many more and we will try to resolve those," he told a press conference on the final day of the 21st ASEAN Economic Ministers' Retreat (AEM) here Sunday. The Economic Ministers also proposed to form a mechanism to deal with non-tariff measures in facilitating the movement of businesses within the region. "We are looking at a formal platform. We are talking to the European Union, to see how we can share best practices with them," said Mustapa. ASEAN Deputy Secretary General for the ASEAN Economic Community Dr Lim Hong Hin said a systematic mechanism would be developed to allow the private sector to echo their challenges. "This mechanism will also help address all the challenges and keep the private sector in the loop, by knowing that their complaints have been addressed," he added. Lim said the ASEAN Economic Ministers have outlined plans for the next decade to drive regional integration. "We will go further to create more opportunities for stakeholders, and especially improve the social welfare of all the people in ASEAN," he added. The ASEAN economic ministers have been huddled here from Friday for a crucial meeting to advance plans for the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community. The retreat, one of the many ASEAN meetings held in conjunction with Malaysia's leadership of ASEAN in 2015, is chaired by Mustapa. Malaysia's theme for the chairmanship of ASEAN is, "Our People, Our Community, Our Vision." -- BERNAMA