WITH the Philippines needing to do much more before the Asean Economic Community takes effect in 2015, local stakeholders hope to prepare themselves by holding a forum on the integration’s effects this week. The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Central Visayas Regional Development Council have scheduled the Forum on the Asean Economic Integration: Impact on Central Visayas Business, Manufacturing and Agri-Fishery Sectors for Wednesday, featuring senior researchers from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies. The CCCI noted that in scorecards gauging country preparedness for integration, the Philippines only met 96 measures out of 131 that needed to be implemented from 2010 until the present. Rather than just awareness, the forum’s organizers assure that the discussions will focus on the implementing gaps in investment liberalization and facilitation, where the Philippines scored just 71 percent in terms of implementing needed measures required for the AEC. Other topics include the establishment of a national single window for easier customs processes, trade facilitation and transport and logistics, which they hope is more relevant for small and medium enterprises. Senior researcher Dr. Erlinda Medalla will given an overview of the AEC and discuss trade liberalization and facilitation. The issues and challenges regarding standards and conformance will be handled by PIDS supervising research specialist Veredigna Ledda. Dr. Adoracion Navarro will be discussing the topic on infrastructure and logistics while Dr. Roehlano Briones will explain the impact of the AEC on agriculture and fisheries. The CCCI hopes stakeholders will participate in the forum and join in creating a roadmap for Cebu to prepare it for the competition it faces ahead.
