2011 Key Highlights

The ASEAN 100 Leadership Forum is an annual meeting of the most outstanding next wave of leaders from the region who will shape the future of ASEAN.

It brings together the brightest men and women from business, government and civil society to engage in dialogue and debate on solutions to foremost challenges and their implications to the future of business and politics.

The ASEAN 100 Leadership Forum 2011 began with a Fireside chat with Chandran Nair followed on the next day by thought-provoking discussions around a central theme of “One ASEAN”, led by key figures from Southeast Asia and other parts of the world and ended with Dinner Address and Dialogue with President Benigno Aquino III of the Philippines,.

This report highlights the key discussions that arose from the dialogues.

Key highlights:

  • Asia must redefine consumption-led growth model, going beyond the claim that technology, free markets and finance will help overcome the issues of constraints and limits. The opportunity to do so lies in strong governments that are not usurped by private interest, those that are transparent and at the same time able to render the need for tough action.
  • ASEAN region is as strong as ever, standing as a solid pillar of stability and growth. The latest comparative growth rates of member countries are telling: In 2010, Singapore‘s economy grew by 14.5 percent; the Thai economy grew by 7.8 percent. The Philippine economy posted a good 7.6 percent growth rate; and Laos‘ economy grew by 7.5 percent. This growth has underscored investor interest in our region. Foreign direct investment inflows in Southeast Asia reached more than 70 billion dollars in 2010.
  • ASEAN must continue its effort to deepen and broaden its economic integration. It must think of sub-regional arrangements and expand its co operations with South Asia. There is plenty of room for potential for regional co operation not just on the economic front but also on natural disasters.
  • As a region, ASEAN must continue to implement self-help mechanisms such as the multi-lateralization of the Chiang Mai initiative to ensure regional stability and to prepare for future volatility and uncertainty.
  • ASEAN needs concerted effort and global solutions in order to address the crisis in the global financial system. ASEAN in plus 3, plus 6, or plus 8 will need to play a role in contributing, shaping and managing the road map to the realization of the new global, financial and economic order.
  • The low hanging fruits in ASEAN include the registration of business and property as well as construction permits. These issues affect largely the SMEs therefore; priority should be given to deal with this relatively simple issue via concerted capacity building efforts and collaboration as well as learning from Singapore.
  • The governments in ASEAN need to pay great attention to capacity building for SMEs. Thailand is now pushing for the establishment of ASEAN trade and investment centre in each member country so that the essential information and assistance can be provided to small and medium sized enterprises.
  • The grouping should consider putting in place a lease framework for ASEAN investors which can serve as a catalyst for attracting intra-investment within the region.
  • The softer areas that create unity such as sports, arts, education where commonality of spirit can be created in a much stronger way in ASEAN. Therefore, perhaps this should be an area of priority to use as a building block for creating a common spirit.
  • Time for ASEAN lane to be reinstated to facilitate movement of people across the region. The GCC and APEC have a special lane in airports in their respective member countries therefore ASEAN should look to have such arrangements.
 
 
 
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