Overall assessment. The slow progress in the implementation of initiatives
to address NTMs and NTBs could be caused by a combination
of factors. First, identifying and eliminating NTBs from among the
NTMs are often not straightforward tasks as some of the government
regulations have evolved over time in response to political-economic
developments in the ASEAN economies. Second, the initiatives
require willingness and commitment of regulators of each economy to
collaborate. The commitment to a standstill and roll-back of NTBs has
been there since 1987. The lack of progress provides evidence of the
weak political support to address NTBs.