“Ready or not for the AEC?”, DELGOSEA Hosts Discussion in Hanoi

THE ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is now imminent and every local governments in Southeast Asia region –members of ASEAN– is now facing this critical question: Are you ready or not?

One-day long seminar adopting the theme of “Ready or Not? Local Governments Facing Economic Integration in Southeast Asia” took place in Hanoi last 2 December 2015. Co-hosted by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) and UCLG ASPAC, this seminar was attended by number of LG’s representatives across Southeast Asia and was also facilitated by noted speakers.

Ngo Thi Tam representing the Association of Cities of Vietnam (ACVN) said that city governments play their leading role to prepare their society to facing the AEC.

Hanoi Delgosea Benedikt
Benedikt Seeman from Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), Manila Office.

Dr. Alving Ang, professor and speaker from Ateneo de Manila University, spoke on challenges and opportunities as LGs facing the AEC and focusing on inclusive growth, small-and-medium industries’ participation.

A review was made by Prasong Sriwatana, mayor of Nongrua Municipality from Thailand. Generally speaking, he said, Thailand has been likely not ready to facing the AEC.

Mr Keang Sengky, the Vice President of National Association of Capital and Provincial Councils, Cambodia (NLCS), said that Cambodia needs to integrate so as a nation it can compete better in the world market, despite lack of readiness as performed by both central and LGs.

Hanoi Delgosea meeting1
UCLG ASPAC Coordination Meeting, Hanoi, Vietnam, 1 December 2015.

As explained by Dr. Marion Fischer, research associate from KAS in Vietnam, the nation is ready for economic integration and has reviewed its laws to prepare for the economic integration.

DELGOSEA Communication Manager Eva Maaten concluded that strong awareness among Southeast Asia nations is very high. As various aspects discussed including challenges and opportunities seen, she thought about benefits that AEC would generate: tourism and agriculture.

One day earlier, UCLG ASPAC held its coordination meeting with its members and partners.