Year 10: Trade: ASEAN members start moves to harmonize policies | BusinessWorld Online Edition

1. What is the goal of this ASEAN meeting?

The goal of this ASEAN meeting is to improve and harmonize trade and investment policies as the bloc pursues an integrated regional economy by 2015. 

2. What is ERIA? What do they intend to do?

ERIA is the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN, they intend to draw up plans to review the scorecard for 2015. 

3. What is AEC? What do they intend to do?

AEC is the ASEAN Economic Community, they intend to help countries identify commitments that will deliver the best results toward integration.

4. What are the three key areas of focus?

The three key areas of focus are trade and transport, services and investment facilitation. 

5. How often does this group plan to meet?

They plan to meet once a year and on during that time they will develop a knowledge bank. 

6. What do they intend to keep in their "knowledge bank"?

They intend to keep possible tools members can use to pursue effective reforms and also a data bank of all regulatory reform ASEAN members have made.

7. Who was the chairman of the meeting? What is his title? What is the population and GDP of his country? How does it compare to Australia?

The Chairman of the meeting is Dato Lim Jock Hei, Brudei Ministry of Foreign Affairs permanent secretary. the p

8. What do you think that economic integration means?

Economic integration refers to trade unification between different states by the partial or full abolishing of customs tariffs on trade taking place within the borders of each state. This is meant in turn to lead to lower prices for distributors and consumers (as no customs duties are paid within the integrated area) and the goal is to increase trade.

9. Do you think that this is good or bad for Australia?


I think this is a good thing as products that are not widely available in all areas will be able travel across the border without the same price of transporting it which acts like a penalty for trading. Trade will definitely flourish if these customs and tariffs are abolished as products will freely flow around the states of Australia without such large fees to give others the same products. So i think that it is a very good thing for Australia.

Australia and America Alliance


1. Who is Steven Smith and what important role does he play for the Australian Government?


He is Defense Minister in Washington and he helps the Australian - US alliance continue. He helps Australia and he controls the military and therefore is helping the relationship of America and Australia become larger.


2. What is the Brookings Institution where Mr. Smith delivered his speech?


It is a non-profit public organisation in Washington dc. It allows people to discuss issues and provide information about certain topics.


3. What role does the Australia/US Alliance play in Australia's 'strategic and security arrangements'?


Australia has previously hosted the US for different systems. America has given sensitive information to Australia to keep on the down low and therefore this guarantee's Australia's alliance with America as they don't want the information spilled. 


4. What is important about Australia's global location for this alliance?


Australia is located in the Asia-Pacific region and therefore is in the centre of gravity and as economic, political, military and strategic influence shifted.


5. What contributions has Australia made to this alliance for the last 50 years?


They have hosted and supported some of the US's most sensitive and critical strategic capabilities. 


6. What did the minister say about the Australian companies who do business with the US?


The minister said 9000 Australian companies did business in the US. "They pay an average wage of $US70,000 ($63,490) per employee per annum and include your largest shopping-centre owner and two of your largest 20 banks.


7. Why does the minister point out this information about this company? What does it highlight about the relationship between Australia and the US?


Because it stresses the fact that Australia is an ally that adds value. Australia does it so from a vantage point of  respect, not dependency. It shows that Australia really is helping America during their time of economic problems.


8. What is the country central to Australia's relationships in the region?


Australia is really trying to get a strong relationship with China. Australia wants to be in an "harmonious environment" with China.


9. What is Australia trying to foster with this country?


They want to be in an harmonious environment and have strong military relations. 


10. Why do you think that this is important to Australia?


Australia is making connections so that they will be more liked and therefore get more favours from China as it is.






1. What is the US planning on locating in Australia? Where? Why?


Australia is located in the arc running from the Indian Ocean through to the Asia Pacific region. This therefore gives the United States a strategic focus to be closer to where a natural disaster may occur and therefore already have plenty of supplies and tools if the time does arise. It is going to be located in Woomera in WA.

2. What implications does this have on the coordination between Australian and American forces?


It ties them together and makes their relation stronger so that America is more of a big brother to Australia.