PRESS RELEASE

ASEAN Economic Ministers Support ASEAN Business Advisory Council 2018 Proposals including SGConnect™

-       SGConnect™ is the fifth legacy project by ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) which aims to develop a network of smart cities across the region.

The 24th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Retreat held in Singapore on 2 March 2018 held a meeting with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) who presented its 2018 proposals.  Dr Robert Yap, Chair of ASEAN-BAC shared with the AEM on the importance of ASEAN-BAC’s legacy projects to drive connectivity across the region.

Resonating with the 2018 ASEAN Theme of Resilience and Innovation, ASEAN-BAC shared its proposed legacy project Smart Growth Connect, or SGConnect™.  The mandate is to help ASEAN cities grow without growing pains by focusing on creating adaptable solutions to cities regardless of its physical and economic landscape.  This would be done through design thinking around logistics, healthcare, and finance systems, leveraging new technologies and a robust human capital programme.

(From L to R) Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid as Chair ASEAN-BAC Malaysia, Dato Seri’ Dr Douglas Foo of ASEAN-BAC Singapore, Khun Arin Jira as Chair of ASEAN-BAC Thailand, Dr Robert Yap, ASEAN-BAC Chair and Mr. Robert Min Choy Yap of ASEAN-BAC Singapore

Dr Yap elaborated on the socio-economic issues that arise in cities due to urbanisation.  Aside from the familiar issues of pollution, congestion, he explained that compromised food safety was a key problem for cities as traffic and logistics issues have a direct and significant impact on perishable goods. Under the SGConnect™ project, ASEAN-BAC would work with ASEAN governments to identify cities across the regions to be future-ready with local talents trained to be adept with new technologies, data analytics and urban solutions.

ASEAN Business Advisory Council Update at the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat on 1 March 2018 at Shangi-La Hotel, Singapore

The AEM commended the ASEAN-BAC on its pragmatic proposal and the Council’s enthusiasm towards executing this project in ASEAN cities in harmony with the other four legacy projects including GAX (Growth Accelerator Exchange); LaosConnect; MaritimeConnect; and, AMEN (ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network).  The AEM remarked ASEAN-BAC’s optimism in helping the MSMEs, who are the backbone of the region’s economy. The AEM agreed that the nations needed to support these initiatives championed by ASEAN-BAC through policy enhancements, particularly for trade facilitation reforms and the new digital economy.

Dr Yap informed AEM that ASEAN-BAC welcomed ASEAN’s implementation of the ASEAN Single Window and the Declaration on Cruise Tourism.  He added that ASEAN-BAC looked forward to the following:

• Establishment of ASEAN Self Certification Regime;

• Realisation of ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement;

• Finalisation of the 10th Packages under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services;

• Enhancement on ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement; and

• Deepening and expansion of ASEAN’s international engagements.

Dr Yap also shared ASEAN-BAC’s support for ASEAN’s key initiatives including the 5 key economic focus areas for 2018; the emphasis on Innovation and Digital Economy; the development of an ASEAN agreement on eCommerce and the ASEAN Innovation Network.

The AEM commended the ASEAN-BAC on its pragmatic proposal and the Council’s enthusiasm towards executing this project in ASEAN cities in harmony with the other four legacy projects including GAX (Growth Accelerator Exchange); LaosConnect; MaritimeConnect; and, AMEN (ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network).  The AEM remarked ASEAN-BAC’s optimism in helping the MSMEs, who are the backbone of the region’s economy. The AEM agreed that the nations needed to support these initiatives championed by ASEAN-BAC through policy enhancements, particularly for trade facilitation reforms and the new digital economy.

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About ASEAN BAC              

ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) was formed following decision of the ASEAN Leaders at the 7th ASEAN Summit, launched in April 2003, with the mandate to provide private sector feedback and guidance to boost ASEAN’s efforts towards economic integration.

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