ASEAN Economic Community, magpapasulong at magpapalago ng kabuhayang panrehiyon: Bangkerong Malay

Sa eksklusibong panayam ng Xinhua, opisyal na ahensiya ng pagbabalita ng Tsina, sinabi ni John Chong, chief executive officer ng Maybank Investment Bank na nakabase sa Malaysia, na ang pagtatatag ng ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) sa katapusan ng taong ito ay epektibong magpapasulong ng kalakalan sa pagitan ng mga bansa ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Makakatulong din aniya ito sa pagpapalakas ng integrasyong pangkabuhayan ng rehiyon. Ipinahayag din niya ang kanyang pananaw sa pagtutulungang pangkalakalan ng Tsina at ASEAN sa background ng AEC at mga inisyatibo ng magkasamang pag-unlad na iniharap ng Tsina na gaya ng "Belt and Road" initiatives at pagbubukas ng Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

Narito po ang mga pangunahing punto ni G. Chong hinggil sa AEC, sa panayam sa sidelines ng katatapos na Ika-47 Pulong ng mga Ministrong Pangkabuhayan ng ASEAN sa Kuala Lumpur, kabisera ng Malaysia.

(note: Nasa wikang Ingles ang sumusunod na teksto, at inedit ng Filipino Service, gamit ang subtitle.)

Intra-ASEAN trade, aangat mula sa 1/4 hanggang sa 1/3

John Chong said that the establishment of AEC is expected to lift intra-ASEAN trade beyond the current long-standing level of around 25 percent of ASEAN total trade to at least one-third, within the next three to five years.

"This would help to cushion external shocks and overcome domestic challenges, as well as cyclical and structural issues facing ASEAN growth such as slower world trade growth and weak commodity prices," he added.

4.8%-6%, inaasahang 2015 GDP growth ng mga kasapi ng ASEAN

ASEAN 6 (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam) growth is expected to edge up this year to 4. 8 percent from 4.5 percent last year, and the momentum is expected to pick up further to 5.1 percent next year, while the rest of ASEAN economies are expected to see growth momentum well in excess of 6 percent. "Key driver and critical factor to this outlook is the AEC," Chong said.

Regional financial integration

Working in Malaysia's largest bank, Chong said that the AEC Blueprint, which will transform ASEAN into a single market and production base, a highly competitive economic region, a region of equitable economic development, and a region fully integrated into the global economy, could not be achieved without the regional financial integration.

He said that the financial integration in the AEC can be attained through the liberalization of financial services and capital accounts, harmonization of financial and monetary policies and regulations, development of market infrastructure, and enabling environment to promote effective intermediation of cross- border financial flows.

"At the moment, there is still much work to be done to deepen the financial integration of the ASEAN countries before the AEC comes into force in 2016," he added.

China-ASEAN trade with great potential

On the outlook of China-ASEAN trade, Chong said that there are many areas with great potential, such as direct investment flows; business flows like financial services; logistic sector like ports, transport and storage; and business services like accounting, legal and communication services.

"Over the medium to longer term, improved income and living standards arising from the China-ASEAN trade and investment growth and the spillovers to the business activities mentioned will boost overall demand for consumption goods and services," he added.

Chong also said that the benefits of AEC can be bolstered by China-proposed Belt and Road initiative in terms of trade and investment growth as well as increase in financial and business flows via strategic partnerships between China and ASEAN.

"A couple of areas are already in motion," he said, referring to the link-up between the Yunnan Province of China and the Greater Mekong Sub-Region of ASEAN, and the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) where ASEAN countries are founding members.

Chong said that these two specific initiatives can facilitate the improvement and expansion in the connectivity between China and ASEAN; for example, via potentially, a railway infrastructure backbone that is well-linked to roads, highways, ports and airports across ASEAN since transport and logistics will be one of the key enablers for the growth and efficient working of an integrated ASEAN single market and production base.

Tagapagsalin/editor: Jade

Tagapagpulido: Rhio