Background and agenda
Background and agenda of the Philippine launch and high-level national policy dialogue on the ASEAN Community 2015: Managing integration for better jobs and shared prosperity
Background
The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), a single regional common market and production base, will become a reality in 2015 for the 600 million women and men of the ten ASEAN member States. This initiative will lead to the freer flow of goods, services, investment and skilled labour in the region. Tariffs and non-tariff barriers will be reduced which will have implications for intra-regional trade and investment. New opportunities for growth and prosperity are likely to emerge from deeper regional integration, but the challenge is to ensure that growth is inclusive and prosperity is shared.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), with support from the ASEAN Secretariat, have conducted a study on ASEAN Community 2015: Managing integration for better jobs and shared prosperity. The report examines the impact of the AEC on labour markets through economic model simulations, with the aim of offering evidence-based policy recommendations towards fostering better jobs and equitable growth. The study highlights priorities to address the challenges and opportunities of the AEC in terms of strengthening regional cooperation mechanisms, facilitating structural change and improving job quality, enhancing skills development, boosting productivity and wages, and managing labour migration.
The Philippines population of nearly 100 million accounts for around one in six of the ASEAN total. Domestic consumption is around 84 per cent of GDP, among the highest rates in the region. Thus, the country’s consumer base is critical to the success of ASEAN integration in terms of expanding regional demand. In terms of production, the country’s electronics, information technology and business process outsourcing industries are key sectors, and the prospects for these and other growing industries under the AEC are vast. Whether or not the AEC leads to greater shared prosperity in the Philippines, however, will depend significantly on the labour market policies adopted. Despite strong economic growth in recent years, high inequality and working poverty persists. Low labour productivity, especially in agriculture, and widespread vulnerable employment continue to slow efforts towards greater social progress.
Agenda
8.00 - 9.00 | Registration |
9.00 - 9.20 | Opening ceremony and welcome address
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9.20 - 9.50 | Presentation Overview of the Philippines’ Action Plan for the ASEAN Economic Community 2015
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9.50 - 10.20 | Session 1 Overview: ASEAN Community 2015: Managing integration for better jobs and shared prosperity
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10.20 - 10.30 | Coffee/ tea break |
10.30 - 11.25 | Session 2 High-level panel: Opportunities and challenges of integration for better jobs and shared prosperity in the Philippines Moderator: Mr Coco Alcuaz, Anchor and Business News Head ABS-CBN News Channel
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11.25 - 11.30 | Closing remarks
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11.30 - 12.00 | Press Conference Venue: 2nd Floor, Meeting Rooms 1-2 Business Centre, Marriott Hotel |