Purpose

The ADB-ASEAN workshop aims to ensure alignment between ASEAN and subregional initiatives, particularly in the area of transport and trade facilitation (TTF). The issue that needs to be addressed is the extent to which subregional initiatives have been able to play the role of "piloting" or being a test best for ASEAN initiatives.

Objectives

• Review role of subregional transport and trade facilitation initiatives in AEC 2015, and determine whether they are building blocks or stumbling blocks;
• Exchange views and experiences on the following issues: (i) advantages of the regional and subregional cooperation in transport facilitation to enhance respective national agenda; (ii) overlap between the regional and subregional arrangements and how they reinforce or contradict, if any, each other; and (iii) difficulties faced at the national level in implementing the commitments under regional and subregional and how the issues are being addressed.

Expected outputs

• Identify possible synergy between the work on transport facilitation in ASEAN and subregional cooperation as well as how to enhance coordination between ASEAN and subregional arrangements;
• Based on issues presented, deliberate specific actions and recommendations for policy.

Target participants

Participants in the Workshop will consist of the

• ADB
• ASEAN member states
• Development partners

Background documents

1. Transport and Trade Facilitation in the GMS: Issues and Proposed Program of Actions
2. Promoting Transit and Interstate Transport Along the GMS East-West Economic Corridor
3. Customs Transit System: Review and Analysis of the Current State of Play
4. Promoting Transport and Trade Facilitation CBTA in Operation along the East-West Corridor— Brochure
5. Greater Mekong Subregion Customs Transit System (CTS)— Brochure
6. Implementation Status of the Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement
7. Stocktaking of Progress in Achieving the Action Plan of the Second Greater Mekong Subregion Cross-Border Transport Agreement Joint Committee
8. Updates on East-West Economic Corridor and Lao-Dansavahn Border Crossing
9. Facilitating Efficient and Secure Trade in BIMP-EAGA— Brochure