The characteristics and elements of AEC :
A. Single Market and Production Base which shall comprise five core elements as follows:
1. Free flow of goods; 2. Free flow of services; 3. Free flow of investment; 4. Freer flow of capital; 5. Free flow of skilled labour.
B. Competitive Economic Region, according to the AEC blueprint:
1. Competition Policy; 2. Consumer Protection; 3. Intellectual Property Rights; 4. Infrastructure Development; 5. Taxation; 6. E-Commerce.
C. Equitable Economic Development which shall comprise : SME Development; 2. Initiative for ASEAN Integration
D. Integration into the Global Economy comprising :
1. Cooperative Approach towards External Economic Relations;
2. Enhance Participation in Global Supply Networks.
There is also an Implementation part in the Blueprint comprising:
A.Implementation Mechanism; B.Resources; C.Communications; D.Review
In each core element there are details of introduction and action plans many of which have timelines. A number of actions have already started and some have completed