PRESS RELEASES

The Sixth Dialogue between Secretary-General of ASEAN and Federation of Japanese Chambers of Commerce and Industry in ASEAN (FJCCIA)

July 17, 2013

    The Sixth Dialogue between Secretary-General of ASEAN and Federation of Japanese Chambers of Commerce and Industry in ASEAN (FJCCIA) was held on 12 July, 2013 in Hanoi, Viet Nam.

    Initiated in 2008 and has been held annually since then, the Dialogue is aimed for the FJCCIA to address regional issues faced by Japanese companies operating in the region to the related ASEAN Sectoral Bodies through the ASEAN Secretariat.

    Representing ASEAN were H.E. Le Luong Minh, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Mr. Subash Bose Pillai, Director for Market Integration Directorate of the ASEAN Secretariat, and from the Government of Viet Nam, H.E. Tran Tuan Anh, Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade. The delegates from Japan side were Mr. Motonobu Sato, Chairman of FJCCIA also as Chairman of the Japan Business Association in Vietnam, H.E. Kimihiro Ishikane, Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN, Mr. Hiroyuki Ishige, Chairman and CEO of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Mr. Tsutomu Miyagi, Managing Director of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as heads of Japanese Chambers of Commerce and Industry in ASEAN countries.

    In the Dialogue, the ASEAN Secretariat reported major progress on the requests from FJCCIA for the term 2011-2013 which was submitted in 2010. These are simplification of the certificate of origin format for ASEAN FTAs, steady progress toward harmonization of regulations for electrical and electronics equipments, single stop inspection at major land border points, and active engagement in revision of Information Technology Agreement (ITA). In addition, FJCCIA identified new issues that may be requested in the next term, such as early elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers/Measures, liberalization of manufacturing support services under ASEAN Framework Agreement on Trade in Services (AFAS), introduction of ASEAN Business Travel Card scheme, coordination of taxation and social security system among ASEAN countries to avoid double payment, and steady negotiation on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

    It is expected that business climate for Japanese companies operating in ASEAN is improved further though the Dialogue.