Attachment 

The CEP Initial Work Programme

Building on and expanding the work under the AFTA-CER Linkage. the initial work programme should include the following:

Technical Barriers to Trade and Non-tariff Barriers: The CEP should address technical barriers to trade and nontariff barriers, including for example SPS issues, TRQs and licensing. standards and conformance. A work programme on technical barriers to trade and non-tariff barriers should allow both sides to address market access issues affected by these barriers in a manner consistent with WTO rights and obligations.

Customs Cooperation: The CEP could encompass customs cooperation and dialogue. with a focus on the development of mutually beneficial solutions to minimise risks and to maximise opportunities for facilitating customs clearance for ASEAN and CER goods. This could include promotion of exchange of information on technical and regulatory requirements, and the streamlining of rules and regulatory procedures.

Capacity Building: Assistance to ASEAN countries to encourage economic integration, particularly of new Members. should continue to be provided in the course of developing and implementing the elements of the CEP. This should focus on agreed areas of the CEP. such as SPS, enforcement of IPRs, customs, standards and conformance.

Trade and Investment Promotion and Facilitation; The CEP should establish mechanisms to enhance information dissemination, address market impediments and promote trade and investment opportunities. These mechanisms could involve the trade and investment agencies of participating countries or business associations from ASEAN and CER.

Standards and Conformity Assessment: There are regular consultations among officials of both regions under the ACCSQCER forum. The possibility of inter-regional MRAs is being explored. ASEAN- CER standards collaboration could be acceleraled further as a component of the CEP. which could cover, transparency of regulations, MRAs, harmonization of standards and joint development of international standards of interest to both regions.

Electronic Commerce: Work on this will include investigating means by which forms of ICT and e-commerce cooperation between ASEAN and CER could be fruitfully pursued, including through links with e-ASEAN and other regional initiatives; examining paperless trading solutions in the routine administration of trade flows building on current regional goals (e.g. customs formalities); and through capacity building to reduce the digital divide.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): The CEP should build stronger ties among the private sectors of both regions, particularly among SMEs, which could benefit from increased networking and links with one other. Joint programmes geared towards encouraging accelerated adoption of e-commerce by SMEs could also be included in the work programme.