Asean adopts master plan on connectivity

Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith, who is chair of the Asean Coordinating Council that oversees connectivity matters for the regional body, said the master plan was ambitious but practical.
“We have designed strong implementation mechanisms to ensure that effective coordination takes place among the various agencies and we can see real change happen over the next 10 years,” he said.
The MPAC 2025, which succeeds the master plan on Asean Connectivity 2010, focuses on five strategic areas: sustainable infrastructure, digital innovation, seamless logistics, regulatory excellence, and population mobility.
The master plan was developed in consultation with the relevant Asean sectoral bodies and other stakeholders. The remaining initiatives from MPAC 2010 were evaluated and incorporated into the 2025 master plan.
Asean needs at least US$110 billion (Bt3.8 trillion) of infrastructure investment each year to support future growth. MPAC 2025 aims to help investors seize opportunities in sustainable infrastructure by improving project preparation, enhancing infrastructure productivity, and supporting cities in adopting sustainable practices.
Digital technologies in Asean could potentially be worth up to US$625 billion by 2030, and may be derived from increased efficiency and new products and services. Capturing digital innovation requires the establishment of regulatory frameworks for the delivery of new digital services; support for the sharing of best practices on open data; and equipping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with the capabilities to access these new technologies.
Improving logistics competitiveness will ease the movement of goods within the Asean community, increasing business opportunities for Asean citizens. MPAC 2025 aims to support this by identifying and addressing key bottlenecks on important trade routes in Asean.
Asean member states have reduced tariffs significantly, benefiting consumers in the region. The new master plan focuses on standards harmonisation, mutual recognition and technical regulations, as well as trade-distorting non-tariff measures in order to achieve regulatory excellence.
The number of tourists from outside Asean could reach 150 million by 2025. The MPAC 2025 will focus on providing comprehensive information on travel options and simplifying visa application processes. It will also develop high-quality qualification frameworks in critical vocational occupations, which Asean member states can implement according to their national circumstances.
With a young population, a strategic location and a range of technologies it can leverage, if implemented effectively, the MPAC 2025 will deliver more economic and educational opportunities for the peoples of Asean and prove that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.