d) Set out a timetable, and implement accordingly, the implementation of the alignment of national
standards to international standards as well as the establishment of regional standards which will
become national standards by 2015.
e) Accelerate operationalisation of MRAs in priority and selected industries and products in the
region by 2015.
(iii) Enhance the rules of origin (ROO) continuously, including the introduction of facilitative processes such
as the electronic processing of certificate of origin (COO) by 2012 and harmonisation or alignment of
national procedures to the extent possible by 2015.
(iv) Determine areas for further alignment of ROOs of Dialogue Partners to the ATIGA ROOs, in order to
strengthen production processes in the region and expedite the movement of goods within ASEAN and
between ASEAN and Dialogue Partners by 2015.
Strategy 6: Accelerate the development of an efficient and competitive logistics sector,
in particular transport, telecommunications and other connectivity related
services in the region
24. The competence, efficiency and cost effectiveness of logistics services industry in a number of ASEAN
Member States can be further improved, as reflected in the wide variation in the ranking of the ASEAN
countries in the “competence of service providers” sub-component of the World Bank’s Logistics
Performance Index (2010). As ASEAN Member States develop their logistics development plans, the
liberalisation of the logistics services industry can be expected to contribute to the improvement of
logistics in the region. In addition, the transport services component of connectivity and logistics would
also need to be improved significantly in a number of ASEAN countries. Similarly, the geographic breadth
and efficiency of telecommunications infrastructure and cost competitiveness of telecommunications
services in a number of ASEAN countries leave much to be desired. A more liberalised and competitive
environment can entice more investment and continuing technology improvements to the region’s
telecommunications, logistics and transport services industries.
Key actions:
(i) Remove substantially all restrictions on trade in services for logistics services by 2013.
(ii) Expedite the liberalisation of the telecommunications services as soon as possible noting that the
deadline in the AEC Blueprint is 2010.
Strategy 7: Substantially improve trade facilitation in the region
25. There is no doubt that many ASEAN Member States need to substantially improve the quality of customs
services and the timeliness of delivery of goods before the region can become truly an integrated