core sector communique

Border Administration, Infrastructure Major Barriers to Trade in ASEAN Countries

• Vietnam most improved ASEAN member over the past year thanks to better market access
• Singapore is the world leader in enabling trade; the rest of ASEAN achieves mixed performance
• Trade facilitation is key for achieving the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015

Hanoi, Vietnam, 3 June 2010 - The World Economic Forum is releasing today the Enabling Trade in the Greater ASEAN Region report, which looks at the obstacles and enablers of trade in seven ASEAN member countries. The study draws on the results of the Enabling Trade Index (ETI) 2010. The ETI ranks 125 economies worldwide, based on their ability to fully benefit from trade in the following areas: market access, border administration, transport and communication infrastructure, and business environment.