AFTA - a step towards intensified economic integration?

Abstract

I would like to explain the current status of the CEPT Scheme emanating from the 24th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting in Manila. You may recall that before the Manila meet, there were a lot of sceptical remarks about the implementation of the CEPT Scheme simply because one member country had serious difficulty due to its internal politics. In fact, even on the eve of the AEM, that member country came without a firm position, so much so that we have to defer discussion on the CEPT to the second day of the Ministerial meeting. But, they did come later with full mandate and at the end of the AEM we had agreement.