Asean urged to boost electronics sector

Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II urged yesterday ASEAN-member countries to work together to make the region’s electronics industry more vibrant.

Roxas specifically called for immediate action on drawing up an electronics industry action plan to boost trade and investments in the region.

"An action plan aims to make third party investors and traders see ASEAN as a truly integrated platform in doing business in electronics," Roxas said.

Roxas further pointed out that in the ASEAN region,"our products should not compete against each other, but rather complement or supplement in order to meet the challenge being posed by the electronics industry of China."

He also stressed there is a need to identify and strengthen ASEAN core competencies.

During a recent ASEAN Electronics Forum held in Manila, ASEAN representatives reported that the region needs to improve turnaround or production time since this is one advantage that the ASEAN continues to enjoy over China.

The ASEAN Electronics Forum, which was attended by major private sector players in the electronics industry, was convened in order to identify the difficulties being encountered in trading goods within the region.

Those who attended the forum reported that one of the issues raised was trade facilitation which include the need to simplify customs procedures, harmonize nomenclature, standards and forms and improve shipment modalities.

The actions suggested to address the issue include fast-tracking export/import documentation, setting up an ASEAN super green lane for electronics, implementing a 24-7 customs operation in ASEAN, harmonizing customs procedures, reviewing non-tariff measures and enhancing shipping modalities and increasing the supply-chain management system.

Export shipments from Indonesia, Malaysia Philippines, Singapore and Thailand totaled more than $140 billion in 2002.

Individual core competencies of ASEAN-member countries are consumer electronic products for Indonesia; consumer electronic products and semiconductors for Malaysia; semiconductors and electronic data processing for the Philippines; semiconductors, data storage and precision engineering for Singapore and consumer electronic products and office equipment for Thailand.