Cross-border opportunities beckon

THIS WEEK'S TOPIC: How has the Asean Economic Community (AEC) impacted your organisation so far? As the region continues to work towards the AEC Blueprint 2025, what further measures of market integration or trade facilitation are businesses looking to?

Victor Mills Chief Executive Singapore International Chamber of Commerce

SICC members are enthusiastic about the potential of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). They know that, at present, it is an aspiration rather than a fact. While tariffs have been reduced, many non-tariff barriers remain and the spectre of protectionist measures looms large over several markets. Economic integration will take decades to achieve. Just compare the example of the European Union. While MNCs have the expertise and scale to leverage the advantages that each market offers, it is much harder for our SMEs to manage non-tariff barriers. That is where e-commerce can facilitate the uplift of SMEs across Asean.