GMS and ASEAN: Contrast,

C
Complementarity
l t it and
d
Convergence
Seilava Ros
Deputy Secretary General
Mi i t off Economy
Ministry E andd Fi
Finance
Cambodia

The views expressed in this paper/presentation are the views of the author and do not necessarily
reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), or its Board of Governors, or the
governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this paper
and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. Terminology used may not necessarily
be consistent with ADB official terms.

Outline
• Introduction: Call for alignment of GSF
with
ith AEC
• Comparing GMS and ASEAN: Contrast
and Convergence
• Identifying areas of complementarity
– Mechanisms for closer coordination
– Implementation of integration measures
• Conclusion

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 Introduction: Call for Alignment of
GSF with AEC

• It is timely to discuss the synergies and

complementaries between GMS and
ASEAN
• AEC to guide the GMS process? – GMS
new Strategic Framework
• Call for greater clarity on what regional
issues covered by GMS and what better
left to ASEAN

GMS and ASEAN: Contrast

GMS ASEAN
Informal forum Formal forum
Focus on trade and Broad economic and
infrastructure agenda integration agenda
Market-driven Policy-driven
Bilateral is considered Decision by consensus
regional
Results-based Rules-based

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GMS and ASEAN: Goal Convergence

• The two programs have a similar vision of

a peaceful
peaceful, prosperous and equitable
Southeast Asia
• Both programs share the goals of
economic integration, free flow of goods
and services; and an expanded regional
production base
• Both programs stress connectivity as a
vital dimension of economic integration

• There is now a growing recognition of a

needd ffor closer
l coordination
di ti b between
t
GMS and ASEAN.
• In practice, there is little coordination
between the GMS process and the
ASEAN mechanism.
• They seek the same objectives, but
operate in parallel.

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Closer coordination towards complementarity

• Coordination at the national level: coordination

among agencies
i and d officials
ffi i l iinvolved
l d iin th
the ttwo
programs.
• Coordination at the regional level:
– Cross-participation in meetings
– Coordination of programs and projects to avoid
overlaps and to maximize linkages
– Coordination in the preparation of masterplans,
blueprints and similar documents, implying
coordination in planning

Implementation of integration measures

• CLMV countries have different timelines in terms

of their commitments to AFTA and other
agreements;
• This demonstrate lack of confidence of CLMV to
compete with their neighbors;
• The early implementation of regional economic
integration schemes by CLMV would allow them
t derive
to d i early l b
benefits
fit off iintegration
t ti
I

4
 Implementation of integration measures
• The AEC Blueprint specifies a strategic schedule
to which ASEAN countries have committed
based oon a ttimeline.
e e
Examples (applicable to the CLMV):
– Modernization of customs by 2015;
– Operationalize national single window by 2013
• The GMS Program should be able to assist the
GMS countries to comply with their
commitments to these schedules by:
– Being a test bed or pilot of commitments made under
the ASEAN framework (for instance, through the
implementation of the CBTA;
– Providing the financial support (through ADB loans or
technical assistance) to modernize customs

Conclusion

• At present, the GMS Program and the ASEAN

AEC are being undertaken without regard for
each other.
• While this weakness has been recognized, a
systematic and formal way of coordinating the
two programs has yet to be put in place.
• The new GMS Strategic Framework is a good
opportunity to link GMS initiatives purposively
with the ASEAN framework.

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Thank you.