Search

A study of trade relations in South East Asian countries is presented. The study helps in analyzing the factors that led to the Asian financial crisis in 1997, and the foreign exchange rate movements in the region before and during the crisis.

This paper analyses trade policies in Southeast Asian countries in their wider Asian and global contexts. It not only compares and contrasts trade policies in individual Southeast Asian Countries, but also analyses these policies in the context of regional and global economic integration, as well as the economic emergence of two other major Asian economies, China and India. The paper summarizes key trade policy features in ASEAN countries, especially to get a sense of policy variety in the region and to see how policies have changed since the 1997-98 Asian economic crisis. The paper concludes that ASEAN countries cannot rely on external tracks 'from above' for meaningful trade policy reform. Rather they have to rely on themselves 'from below' as it were. The engine of liberalization and regulatory reform has to be home-driven, with governments taking unilateral measures in response to internal and external conditions., I. Introduction This paper analyses trade policies in Southeast Asian countries in their wider Asian and global contexts. In essence, it not only compares and contrasts trade policies in individual [...]

The Asian economic crisis was caused in large part by trade problems in Southeast asia and spread outward to the financial sector of the region.

The connection between trade integration and the cross-country relationship between business cycle activity in southeast Asia was investigated. Results revealed that a positive and important relationship between the degree of bilateral trade intensity and the cross-country bilateral correlation of business activity over the period 1986-1996, a period when trade integration was moving fast. Thus, the finding by J.A. Frankel et al. that more trade integration between industrialized nations tends to cause more highly synchronized business cycles, seems to be applicable for countries which have varied income levels and economic structures.

The Assn of Southeast Asian Nations has proven to be an efficient tool for economic integration in the region. Since its founding in 1965, the region, through the ASEAN, has moved towards closer trade and economic relations with member countries and with the world. It has enjoyed unprecedented economic growth and continues to advocate regional cooperation. Its success has influenced the advocacy of open regionalism by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

The negotiation for a tie-up between the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Agreement (CER) is bound to bring economic benefits to both regions. An AFTA-CER agreement would increase New Zealand and Australia's access to the Southeast Asian market. Two-way trade was estimated to reach $12.5 billion in 1996. Furthermore, it is expected to foster political goodwill and regional security.

The Assn of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) opposes the International Labor Organization's (ILO) mandate requiring the inclusion of labor standards in international trade agreements. The ILO demands the prohibition of all forms of forced labor and discrimination in employment. The ILO asserts that these standards uphold basic human rights. On the other hand, the ASEAN believes that these standards will derail the economic performance of developing countries in the global trading market. The formation of an independent body to consider these issues is recommended.

The US export market has cultivated the strong economic growth of its major exporters, China and the four Assn of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN-4) members, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. China and the ASEAN-4 export primary commodities and high technology manufactures to the US. An analysis of their market share shows that China is poised to overrun the ASEAN-4's US export share. However, this projection will negatively affect their export competitiveness in the US market. Regional cooperation and openness is recommended to fortify their performance in the global market.

A study on the possible implication of the formation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) through foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to the region was conducted. It was revealed that the growth of FDI in AFTA is likely to result from the market enlargement factor which is achieved through continued commitment to outward oriented policies and the arbitration of effective investment which is considered the most effective given a short time. The AFTA strategy has a promising motivation to achieve international production strategies, thus, leading to better inter-regional specialisation in international production.

A study of trading patterns in 19th century north-west Borneo reveals the presence of both indigenous and colonial European production networks in South-east Asia. European interest in the region was primarily a result of South-east Asia's strategic importance and its highly developed indigenous trading system which was potentially profitable to them. Despite going through considerable political changes during the colonial era, the region's indigenous and colonial trading systems interacted with each other for their mutual development.

Taiwanese investors have been venturing west to China and south to Southeast Asia through the mid-1990s. Taiwanese companies have also been venturing into California since the 1970s. Taiwanese investors in China and Southeast Asia vary according to industrial sectors and geographical locations. Taiwan's exports to China in 1994 amounted to $12.6 billion while exports to the five ASEAN countries and Vietnam reached $11.4 billion. The Taiwanese government aims to develop the country into the operational center of manufacturing, transit shipping, financial services and telecommunications for the Asia-Pacific region.

At APEC's second 'summit' meeting, in November 1994, President Suharto of Indonesia steered the leaders of the eighteen member countries, or territories, to accept the vision of 'free trade in the region' by 2020, with the developed economies achieving the goal by 2010. Six months later, Indonesia introduced a package of liberalization measures that combined its commitments in ASEAN, the Uruguay Round agreements, and the APEC process. It has hoped thereby to show others what might be done to achieve 'the Bogor goals.'

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the impressive economic performance of most of its members have increased the weight of the region's views in world fora. However, ASEAN has been unsuccessful in fostering a regional integration arrangement (RIA) leading to an increase in intraregional trade and foreign direct investment. In January 1992, ASEAN launched the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA) seeking to establish a free trade area (FTA) by 2008. Market integration increases economic interdependence and thereby raises the need for policy integration and discipline. This paper argues that a number of difficulties that ASEAN faced in promoting intraregional trade are likely to continue to affect AFTA (e.g., low economic complementarity and macroeconomic imbalances requiring large changes in equilibrium real exchange rates). The experience of other RIAs suggests other potential problems. AFTA's prospects of evolving into deeper forms of sustainable integration are remote. Some cooperation in areas of common interest seems likely., I. INTRODUCTION The formation of ASEAN and the impressive economic performance of most of its members have increased the weight of the region's views in world fora. However, ASEAN has [...]

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), comprising Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines, was established in 1967 to promote economic, cultural, and political cooperation in the region. Some degree of economic cooperation has been achieved. Intraregion trade has increased, but trade patterns are dominated by Singapore, the entrepot for Southeast Asia. Through the activities of ASEAN a strong political identity has emerged and has been recognized internationally.

Opening Remarks of H. E. Rodolfo C. Severino, Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, at the AFTA 2002 Symposium Jakarta, 31 January 2002 I have the great honour [...]

Representatives of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States held their eighth dialogue in Washington February 10-11, 1988. Following are remarks by Secretary Shultz and [...]

In the age of sail two major trade arteries connected China to Southeast Asia. The eastern link, from Fujian to the Sulu Zone and the Moluccas, appears to have been particularly active under the Yuan. Descriptive elements, concepts of space, commodity flows, and other indicators, mainly found in Chinese sources, as well as certain political developments point to this constellation., Introduction Ships sailing from Fujian to Southeast Asia could choose between two different sea routes. The first route followed the China coast to central Guangdong; it then led to Hainan, [...]