From 2003 until the end of 2010, Crown Agents worked in partnership with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), its member state administrations and the European Union (EU), to support regional economic integration. Established in 1967 ASEAN's ten partner states have set themselves the goal of achieving a single market and competitive regional economic production centre, at one with the global economy, by 2015.
We have been helping ASEAN members put in place a number of the 'stepping stones' paving the way towards successful regional economic integration, in leading the customs and trade facilitation component of the programme. This has enabled international trade to flow across the region's borders more easily, without compromising control or security.
Crown Agents supported ASEAN members in the working-up of the strategic plan for Customs development for the region, and supplied technical expertise to put it into practice. Our work in harmonising, simplifying and standardising international trade procedures and relevant official data requirements across ASEAN member states, has contributed to reduced customs clearance times for traders, improved transit arrangements and laid the foundations for regional 'Single Window' based trade facilitation.
This has helped bring about a better regional Customs and 'business enabling' environment, reducing transaction costs and promoting investment, supporting ASEAN member states' economic growth.
Note 1: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN was established in 1967 and currently has 10 member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.