Re-evaluate the Readiness of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC): Conceptual Review from Malaysia’s Single Window

Abstract

ASEAN members (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippine, Indonesia and Myanmar) have worked tightly since decades to improve Asia economic. These ten countries' leaders had agreed to form ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), a consortium for better flow of information among members, free movement of goods, capital and investment. In order to achieve this target, all members need to reach mutual understanding and make sure their national Single Window is well implemented before enter into ASEAN Single Window. However, the differences in ICT infrastructure, various institutions, IT literacy, etc. within and among ASEAN members may become the obstacle. With no delay, AEC was formed in 2015 and its following 3 years performance was significantly ineffective as expected by many economists. It is due to most of ASEAN members' single window is not well prepared due to their country's development from the perspective of technology and other political factors. This study is important to re-evaluate the readiness of ASEAN members in AEC by comparing the Information Technology (IT) development among all members. Furthermore, European Union (successful Economic Community) was chosen as an example to review the requirements for a single window which can be served as the improvement for ASEAN Single Window.