(v) Promote partnership and active engagement of businesses and industries into the process of policy
making in fostering its speedy and smooth implementation.
(vi) Develop the human resources necessary to complement the above actions by 2013.
Strategy 8: Enhance border management capabilities
28. Synchronising activities of control at border among related agencies in charge of border management
is the first step to improve the connectivity among Member States. Mutual recognition arrangements
constitute a comprehensive upgrade to enable goods, means of transport and passengers to cross border
without interruption. At present, the cooperation in the area has started and if accelerated, outputs of
this cooperation will assist in enhancing ASEAN Connectivity. In this regard, appropriate measures need
to be explored and developed as necessary, in accordance with national laws and regulations, in order to
ensure a safe region for the peoples of Southeast Asia and secure supply chains throughout the region.
Key actions:
(i) Develop procedures of border management (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, or CIQ) in managing
cross-border movement of passengers and goods by 2013.
(ii) Synchronise procedures, formalities and practices in border management and its harmonisation to the
extent possible by 2013.
(iii) Promote joint border management in pursuing “One Single Inspection and Processing Point” by 2013.
Strategy 9: Accelerate further opening up of ASEAN Member States to investments
from within and beyond the region under fair investment rules
29. Benefits from the initiatives toward an interconnected ASEAN are best enhanced with increased
investments from domestic investors, foreign investors from within the region, and from the rest of the
world. Increased investments have been key enablers of robust economic and trade growth in virtually
all the economic success stories in the developing world in recent decades. Thus, it is important for the
ASEAN Member States to be attractive investment destinations. At present, ASEAN Member States
vary widely in terms of investment attractiveness, with international rankings on global competitiveness
and ease of doing business ranging from one of the world’s best to among one of the world’s lowest.
One pressing challenge is how to substantially improve the investment attractiveness of the investment
lagging countries in the region, thereby ensuring that the benefits from ASEAN Connectivity become
more widespread within the region.
30. Greater physical connectivity as well as regulatory and institutional improvements in order to ease
the flow of goods and services in the region is expected to improve the attractiveness of the ASEAN
region as an investment destination. The further opening up of the ASEAN Member States to foreign
investments from the region and the rest of the world as well as ensuring a fair investment regime for
both domestic and foreign investors will also improve further the investment attractiveness of ASEAN
Member States.