The publication launch was held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) 2011 being held in Bali, November 16-18, the ASEAN Secretariat said in a statement.
"The participation and collaboration of all stakeholders - particularly the private sector - is crucial to the creation of a strong foundation for the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015," ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan said in the launch.
The AEC Handbook for Business is a business-friendly publication, aimed at creating greater awareness from the private sector, on the developments and progress in the implementation of the AEC.
"The private sector as the main driver of regional and global supply chains, plays a critical role in ensuring the successful realization of ASEAN as a single market and production base," he added.
This is also true of the Small and Medium Enterprises or SMEs, which represent the biggest employer in ASEAN.
Their hardwork and contribution to the economic well-being of the regional group, were acknowledged by the Directory of Outstanding ASEAN SMEs 2011: In collaboration with the ASEAN SME Agencies Working Group (SMEWG).
"The SME Directory also contains an overview of the policy initiatives for SMEs in AMS, and incorporates information on Free Trade Agreements between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners, to build awareness and to support the transformation of ASEAN SMEs as world-class enterprises by 2015," said Sundram Pushpanathan, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community.
The launch of the three publications were graced by Indonesian Minister of Trade Gita Wirjawan, Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Mari Elka Pangestu, as well as Pushpanathan.
And one publication which is aimed at raising ASEAN`s profile in attracting investments, and on raising the profile of the region grouping, is the ASEAN Investment Report (AIR) 2011.
The ASEAN Secretariat had published 500 copies, of which 200 copies of publications would be distributed at the ABIS 2011. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
