ASEAN Convenes its Services Forum 2015

With the theme "Regional Integration of Services in ASEAN Countries: Progress and Challenges," the Forum discussed the challenges in realising the ambitious target of free flow of trade in services set by the ASEAN Leaders under the AEC Blueprint where there shall be substantially no restrictions to ASEAN services suppliers in providing services and in establishing companies across national borders within the region, subject to domestic regulations.

The discussions continued on ASEAN's efforts to strengthen its services integration framework in recognition of the identified challenges, in particular through regulatory cooperation. ASEAN now aims to enhance the existing ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) under the post‐2015 agenda.

Around 80 officials, academicians, and business practitioners participated in this Forum, which was opened by Mr. Ho Quang Trung, Director for Market Integration Directorate of the ASEAN Secretariat and Dr. Bokhwan Yu, Deputy Dean of Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI). The Forum was jointly organised by the ASEAN Secretariat, ADBI, and the World Bank, with support from the ASEAN‐Australia Development Cooperation Program Phase II (AADCPII).