|
ICT to gain from e-ASEAN Courtesy of By Azaraimy
H Hasib
The e-ASEAN Framework Agreement was signed in
2000 by leaders of ASEAN countries and is one of the most ambitious
initiatives ever undertaken by the region. The e-ASEAN initiative includes facilitating the
establishment of the ASEAN Information Infrastructure (AII); facilitating the
growth of electronic commerce; liberalisation of
trade in ICT products, services and investments; facilitation of trade in ICT
products and services; capacity building, e-Society and e-Government. In facilitating the establishment of the ASEAN
Information Infrastructure [AII], work is being undertaken to set up national
and regional Internet exchanges and Internet gateways. Facilitation of the
AII also involves the development of ASEAN internet content such as the
"Asean Tourism" portal and technical
architecture as well as the adoption of a critical set of international
standards and best practices to achieve interoperability. To facilitate the growth of e-commerce, member
countries are committed to put in place national laws and policies relating
to electronic commerce; working towards the establishment of mutual
recognition of digital signature frameworks and looking into secure regional
electronic transactions, payments and settlements. To liberalise trade in
ICT products, services and investment, member countries are accelerating the liberalisation of trade in ICT products under the Common
Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) Scheme for AFTA. In facilitating trade in ICT products and
services, member countries are looking into the conclusion of Mutual
Recognition Arrangements (MRA) covering ICT products and the alignment of
national standards to relevant international standards. Facilitation will
also include efforts towards the harmonisation of customs
valuation for ICT products through the implementation of the WTO Valuation
Agreement. ASEAN is also developing capacity building programmes based on an evaluation of the e-readiness of ASEAN
Member Countries that will include education and training for small business
enterprises, ICT workers, policy makers and regulators. A regional human
resource development programme is being developed
to increase ICT literacy and expand the base of ICT workers in the region
covering schools, the community and the work place. In working towards e-government, ASEAN is
enhancing inter-governmental cooperation by promoting the use of electronic
means in the procurement of goods and services; and facilitating freer flow
of goods, information and people within ASEAN. Looking at the broader spectrum of projects and
the funding needs that are required to implement projects, Asean is currently considering an Asean
ICT fund and an e-Asean Centre to manage the
implementation of e-Asean projects.
|
