On 16 October 2013, the programme “Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration (RCI) in Asia” of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) convened a workshop on “Social Implications of Economic Integration: Managing Cross-Border Labour Migration on a Regional Scale” in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The workshop aimed to address the demand for capacity development and deepened dialogue between relevant line ministries and key stakeholders engaged in labour migration related issues in Cambodia. This report summarises the purpose, main themes and results of this event.
The speaker advocated transforming China's urbanization model from scale-oriented to population-based urbanization to promote more inclusive growth. Scale-oriented urbanization is becoming unsustainable due to resource constraints, social and environmental costs. Population urbanization could double urbanization rates and boost consumption and services. A priority is reforming China's hukou system to integrate migrant workers into cities and access public services. This would avoid social tensions. Land and welfare reforms were also recommended to support population urbanization. The household registration system should transition to a residence permit system within 5-8 years nationwide.
OECD and China 1995 - 2015: 20 years of partnershipOECDglobal
Trade and investment were the focus of the agenda in 1995 when China and the OECD initiated their co-operation with a first workshop. The partnership now extends across the broad range of core OECD policy areas and includes more than 30 Chinese ministries and government institutions.
This document is a newsletter from the GIZ Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia Programme. It provides updates on recent activities including study tours on cross-border cooperation, workshops on trade facilitation and social implications of economic integration, and an expert forum on cross-border cooperation and trade facilitation. It also summarizes recent trends in Asian regionalism from sources like the Asian Development Bank, Boao Forum for Asia, and Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Upcoming events and new publications from the programme are listed.
saia_EPF Drivers of Regional Integration_EDIP_20160203 webIvan Oliveira
This document discusses how global value chains have disrupted traditional concepts of regional integration. The fragmentation of production processes across borders has complicated analyses of trade, comparative advantage, and regional production spaces. However, some of the most successful value chain development, such as in China, still had strong regional dimensions, with production tasks transferring between nearby economies like China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. Looking ahead, modern regional integration must address wider issues that demand more uniform regulations across larger spaces, while also allowing for local variation. Global value chains did not eliminate the regional concept, but have made it more complex and multi-dimensional.
This document summarizes a research article that investigates the causal relationship between road transport infrastructure development, economic growth, and poverty level in Nigeria from 1980 to 2012. It finds that road transport infrastructure development and economic growth cause poverty reduction in the long run, but that poverty reduction and economic growth can influence each other in the short run. The document reviews theories and prior empirical research on the relationships between transportation infrastructure, economic growth, and poverty reduction. It finds mixed results from other studies on the direction of causality. The research aims to help inform transport investment decisions in Nigeria by providing more clarity on the links between these important variables.
Turkey’s View of China as an Economic PartnerAltay Atli
Turkey views China as an important economic partner but faces a large trade deficit. Turkey aims to attract more Chinese investment to balance the relationship. As a connector between East and West, Turkey wants to capitalize on China's Belt and Road Initiative to facilitate infrastructure projects and investment. However, Turkey must also maintain strong economic ties with the EU and US. While economic relations with China grow, political and societal differences sometimes undermine the relationship.
This document summarizes the work of the OECD Western Balkans Regional Competitiveness Initiative (RCI) which aimed to help Western Balkan economies develop new sources of growth through innovation and skills development. Over three years, each participating economy (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia) implemented a pilot project focused on innovation with OECD support. Projects included business plan competitions, establishing triple helix partnerships between academia/business/government, developing national innovation strategies, and action plans. The RCI also worked to bridge skills gaps across the region. Key achievements included new strategies, policies, and programs established in each economy to strengthen innovation systems
The speaker advocated transforming China's urbanization model from scale-oriented to population-based urbanization to promote more inclusive growth. Scale-oriented urbanization is becoming unsustainable due to resource constraints, social and environmental costs. Population urbanization could double urbanization rates and boost consumption and services. A priority is reforming China's hukou system to integrate migrant workers into cities and access public services. This would avoid social tensions. Land and welfare reforms were also recommended to support population urbanization. The household registration system should transition to a residence permit system within 5-8 years nationwide.
OECD and China 1995 - 2015: 20 years of partnershipOECDglobal
Trade and investment were the focus of the agenda in 1995 when China and the OECD initiated their co-operation with a first workshop. The partnership now extends across the broad range of core OECD policy areas and includes more than 30 Chinese ministries and government institutions.
This document is a newsletter from the GIZ Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia Programme. It provides updates on recent activities including study tours on cross-border cooperation, workshops on trade facilitation and social implications of economic integration, and an expert forum on cross-border cooperation and trade facilitation. It also summarizes recent trends in Asian regionalism from sources like the Asian Development Bank, Boao Forum for Asia, and Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Upcoming events and new publications from the programme are listed.
saia_EPF Drivers of Regional Integration_EDIP_20160203 webIvan Oliveira
This document discusses how global value chains have disrupted traditional concepts of regional integration. The fragmentation of production processes across borders has complicated analyses of trade, comparative advantage, and regional production spaces. However, some of the most successful value chain development, such as in China, still had strong regional dimensions, with production tasks transferring between nearby economies like China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. Looking ahead, modern regional integration must address wider issues that demand more uniform regulations across larger spaces, while also allowing for local variation. Global value chains did not eliminate the regional concept, but have made it more complex and multi-dimensional.
This document summarizes a research article that investigates the causal relationship between road transport infrastructure development, economic growth, and poverty level in Nigeria from 1980 to 2012. It finds that road transport infrastructure development and economic growth cause poverty reduction in the long run, but that poverty reduction and economic growth can influence each other in the short run. The document reviews theories and prior empirical research on the relationships between transportation infrastructure, economic growth, and poverty reduction. It finds mixed results from other studies on the direction of causality. The research aims to help inform transport investment decisions in Nigeria by providing more clarity on the links between these important variables.
Turkey’s View of China as an Economic PartnerAltay Atli
Turkey views China as an important economic partner but faces a large trade deficit. Turkey aims to attract more Chinese investment to balance the relationship. As a connector between East and West, Turkey wants to capitalize on China's Belt and Road Initiative to facilitate infrastructure projects and investment. However, Turkey must also maintain strong economic ties with the EU and US. While economic relations with China grow, political and societal differences sometimes undermine the relationship.
This document summarizes the work of the OECD Western Balkans Regional Competitiveness Initiative (RCI) which aimed to help Western Balkan economies develop new sources of growth through innovation and skills development. Over three years, each participating economy (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia) implemented a pilot project focused on innovation with OECD support. Projects included business plan competitions, establishing triple helix partnerships between academia/business/government, developing national innovation strategies, and action plans. The RCI also worked to bridge skills gaps across the region. Key achievements included new strategies, policies, and programs established in each economy to strengthen innovation systems
AmCham annual report 2012-2013
AmCham Tunisia has gained visibility in the MENA region since it took over the AmCham MENA Council Chairmanship in July 2011. In this capacity, AmCham Tunisia has been invited either to co-organize or actively participate in all regional meetings, the most important ones being: the US Secretary’s Global Business Conference (Washington, DC. February 21-22, 2012), the 9th edition of the G8 BMENA Forum for the Future (Tunis, 11-13 December, 2012), the 2013 Harvard Arab Alumni Association Conference under the theme “The Arab World: From Revolution to Transformation” (Tunis, 21 March, 2013), and the Conference “MENA Investment and Entrepreneurship: Change Brings Opportunity » (Washington, D.C., 11 October, 2013).
Policy Mechanism for Developing Special Border Economic Zones in ThailandDr.Choen Krainara
1) The document discusses the development of special border economic zones in Thailand to help bridge economic gaps with less developed neighboring countries and promote regional development.
2) It analyzes the policies influencing border economic zone development and seeks to identify policy gaps to further catalyze the process.
3) Special border economic zones are seen as a way to distribute economic growth to less developed border regions in Thailand, share benefits with neighboring countries, and strengthen regional integration in Southeast Asia.
Economic Ties of Georgia with Central Asian Countries and Future Cooperation ...ijtsrd
This document analyzes the economic relationships between Georgia and Central Asian countries in terms of trade, tourism, foreign direct investment, and remittances. It finds that trade between Georgia and countries like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan has increased in recent years. Georgia exports products like mineral water, nuts, spirits, and automobiles to Central Asia and imports oil, gas, metals and agriculture. Tourism from Central Asia, led by Kazakhstan, has also grown significantly in recent years. Foreign direct investment has mainly come from Kazakhstan, which has invested in sectors like construction, transportation, real estate and finance. The document discusses opportunities for further strengthening economic cooperation between Georgia and Central Asia.
This document discusses the effects of international migration on sustainable development. It finds that remittances sent home by migrants have significantly reduced poverty at the family level in many developing countries and contributed to human capital formation through education. Remittances have also boosted local economies, created jobs, and helped achieve national development goals. However, migration can negatively impact development by leaving skills gaps and disrupting family structures. The document calls for more research on the impacts of migration in developing destination countries and on the relationship between migration and climate change. It argues migration should be integrated into the post-2015 development agenda given its potential to reduce poverty and contribute to sustainable development.
The document discusses ways to improve cooperation between the EU and ASEAN in four policy areas: development, finance, trade, and climate change. It recommends strengthening civil society engagement and public-private partnerships in development cooperation. In finance, it suggests furthering financial integration in ASEAN and establishing new instruments for SME financing. For trade and climate change, the document proposes addressing issues like investor-state dispute settlement, intellectual property rights, renewable energy cooperation, and subnational collaboration.
The document discusses the findings of a qualitative survey on how remittances from Moldovan labour migrants are contributing to the development of small and medium enterprises in Moldova. It describes the experiences of migrants working abroad, their reasons for returning to Moldova, and how some have used remittances to start businesses in agriculture, commerce, and other sectors. The survey also examines the barriers faced by entrepreneurs in Moldova and presents case studies of businesses started with remittance funding.
The document discusses Turkey-Pakistan relations on the 91st anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey. It provides perspectives from Turkish and Pakistani officials who express the close and brotherly ties between the two countries. They highlight areas of existing economic, political and cultural cooperation and a shared desire to further strengthen relations.
Quarterly newsletter with information on economic cooperation and integration in Asia from the GIZ programme Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia (RCI). In our newsletter we share information about our programme activities, and further input on the programme’s focus areas such as regionalism, trade facilitation and port cooperation in Asia.
From 27 to 28 November 2013, the “Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration
(RCI) in Asia” Programme convened its second international expert forum on “Cross-border Cooperation and Trade Facilitation in Asia” in Bangkok, Thailand. This document summarises the purpose, themes and results of this event. Detailed information including the content of lectures and discussions can be retrieved from the respective summaries.
This leaflet introduces our programme, informs about the general background and the specific approaches on regional economic cooperation and integration. It introduces the programme's focus areas and reports on results and prospects.
On 26 November 2014, the "Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration (RCI) in Asia" Programme of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH held an Expert Hearing and Roundtable on "Port Cooperation in the Pan-Beibu Gulf Region" in Bangkok, Thailand. In the scope of the workshop a study conducted by Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC) was presented and benefits as well as challenges of maritime cooperation in the region were discussed. This document summarises the objective, main themes and results of this event.
On 7 and 8 August 2013, the “Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration (RCI) in Asia” Programme of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in cooperation with the “Secretariat of Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation (China)” held a workshop on "Project Management of Cross-border Cooperation: European Experiences" in Nanning, People's Republic of China. The purpose of the workshop was twofold. Firstly, it aimed at familiarizing participants from PBG member countries with the initiation, planning, management and financing of cross-border cooperation projects as well as the specifics of modes of cooperation, such as formation, legal bases, added value, and difficulties. The second objective of the workshop was to discuss opportunities and challenges of cross-border cooperation in Asia. This report summarises the main themes and results of this event.
On 20 November 2012, the programme Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration (RCI) in Asia of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH convened a workshop on “Social Implications of Economic Integration” in Vientiane, Lao PDR. This document summarise thepurpose, main themes and results of this event.
The launching of a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Shanghai on September 29, 2013 attracted a great deal of attention around the globe. The first Hong Kong-like free trade area in mainland China was personally endorsed by Premier Li Keqiang and is set to promote trade and encourage foreign investment in the country’s tightly regulated service industry. To contribute to a better understanding of the Shanghai FTZ model this paper gives an overview of the implementation process as well as it's underlying guiding principles and legislations.
Quarterly newsletter with information on economic cooperation and integration in Asia from the GIZ programme Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia (RCI). In our newsletter we share information about our programme activities, and further input on the programme’s focus areas such as regionalism, trade facilitation and port cooperation in Asia.
The GIZ supports regional economic integration in Asia through its Support for Economic Cooperation in Sub-Regional Initiatives in Asia (SCSI) program. The program works with sub-regional initiatives like the Greater Tumen Initiative and Pan Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation to strengthen processes of regional integration between countries. The goal is to contribute to sustainable development in the region by promoting cross-border trade and investment, capacity building, and knowledge sharing. In the past, the program has provided training to public and private stakeholders to improve implementation of economic agreements and regional initiatives.
Tourism is an activity that can improve main macroeconomic indicators. The opportunities for sustainable tourism development and the preservation of its competitiveness is largely influenced by the quality of the environment and the preservation of goods and resources. The paper will examine the impact of the number of international arrivals and receipts from international tourism on the GDP per capita for 2009-2015 and its impact on unemployment and the human development index as the selected component of sustainable development. Based on the relationship between these values, the basic relations between the selected indicators will be identified. The results will include all aspects, establish priorities, concrete proposals - strategic projects that can be realized in the coming period in order to increase the number of tourists and tourism revenues, which would affect the economic growth and development of the Republic of Serbia.
The document summarizes the role and functions of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). ESCAP is the regional development arm of the United Nations and serves as the main economic and social development center for the UN in Asia and the Pacific. It has 53 member states and 9 associate member states. ESCAP provides strategic links between global and country-level programs and issues to support governments in the region. It is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand.
Quarterly newsletter with information on economic cooperation and integration in Asia from the GIZ programme Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia (RCI). In our newsletter we share information about our programme activities, and further input on the programme’s focus areas such as regionalism, trade facilitation and port cooperation in Asia.
AmCham annual report 2012-2013
AmCham Tunisia has gained visibility in the MENA region since it took over the AmCham MENA Council Chairmanship in July 2011. In this capacity, AmCham Tunisia has been invited either to co-organize or actively participate in all regional meetings, the most important ones being: the US Secretary’s Global Business Conference (Washington, DC. February 21-22, 2012), the 9th edition of the G8 BMENA Forum for the Future (Tunis, 11-13 December, 2012), the 2013 Harvard Arab Alumni Association Conference under the theme “The Arab World: From Revolution to Transformation” (Tunis, 21 March, 2013), and the Conference “MENA Investment and Entrepreneurship: Change Brings Opportunity » (Washington, D.C., 11 October, 2013).
Policy Mechanism for Developing Special Border Economic Zones in ThailandDr.Choen Krainara
1) The document discusses the development of special border economic zones in Thailand to help bridge economic gaps with less developed neighboring countries and promote regional development.
2) It analyzes the policies influencing border economic zone development and seeks to identify policy gaps to further catalyze the process.
3) Special border economic zones are seen as a way to distribute economic growth to less developed border regions in Thailand, share benefits with neighboring countries, and strengthen regional integration in Southeast Asia.
Economic Ties of Georgia with Central Asian Countries and Future Cooperation ...ijtsrd
This document analyzes the economic relationships between Georgia and Central Asian countries in terms of trade, tourism, foreign direct investment, and remittances. It finds that trade between Georgia and countries like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan has increased in recent years. Georgia exports products like mineral water, nuts, spirits, and automobiles to Central Asia and imports oil, gas, metals and agriculture. Tourism from Central Asia, led by Kazakhstan, has also grown significantly in recent years. Foreign direct investment has mainly come from Kazakhstan, which has invested in sectors like construction, transportation, real estate and finance. The document discusses opportunities for further strengthening economic cooperation between Georgia and Central Asia.
This document discusses the effects of international migration on sustainable development. It finds that remittances sent home by migrants have significantly reduced poverty at the family level in many developing countries and contributed to human capital formation through education. Remittances have also boosted local economies, created jobs, and helped achieve national development goals. However, migration can negatively impact development by leaving skills gaps and disrupting family structures. The document calls for more research on the impacts of migration in developing destination countries and on the relationship between migration and climate change. It argues migration should be integrated into the post-2015 development agenda given its potential to reduce poverty and contribute to sustainable development.
The document discusses ways to improve cooperation between the EU and ASEAN in four policy areas: development, finance, trade, and climate change. It recommends strengthening civil society engagement and public-private partnerships in development cooperation. In finance, it suggests furthering financial integration in ASEAN and establishing new instruments for SME financing. For trade and climate change, the document proposes addressing issues like investor-state dispute settlement, intellectual property rights, renewable energy cooperation, and subnational collaboration.
The document discusses the findings of a qualitative survey on how remittances from Moldovan labour migrants are contributing to the development of small and medium enterprises in Moldova. It describes the experiences of migrants working abroad, their reasons for returning to Moldova, and how some have used remittances to start businesses in agriculture, commerce, and other sectors. The survey also examines the barriers faced by entrepreneurs in Moldova and presents case studies of businesses started with remittance funding.
The document discusses Turkey-Pakistan relations on the 91st anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey. It provides perspectives from Turkish and Pakistani officials who express the close and brotherly ties between the two countries. They highlight areas of existing economic, political and cultural cooperation and a shared desire to further strengthen relations.
Quarterly newsletter with information on economic cooperation and integration in Asia from the GIZ programme Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia (RCI). In our newsletter we share information about our programme activities, and further input on the programme’s focus areas such as regionalism, trade facilitation and port cooperation in Asia.
From 27 to 28 November 2013, the “Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration
(RCI) in Asia” Programme convened its second international expert forum on “Cross-border Cooperation and Trade Facilitation in Asia” in Bangkok, Thailand. This document summarises the purpose, themes and results of this event. Detailed information including the content of lectures and discussions can be retrieved from the respective summaries.
This leaflet introduces our programme, informs about the general background and the specific approaches on regional economic cooperation and integration. It introduces the programme's focus areas and reports on results and prospects.
On 26 November 2014, the "Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration (RCI) in Asia" Programme of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH held an Expert Hearing and Roundtable on "Port Cooperation in the Pan-Beibu Gulf Region" in Bangkok, Thailand. In the scope of the workshop a study conducted by Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC) was presented and benefits as well as challenges of maritime cooperation in the region were discussed. This document summarises the objective, main themes and results of this event.
On 7 and 8 August 2013, the “Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration (RCI) in Asia” Programme of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in cooperation with the “Secretariat of Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation (China)” held a workshop on "Project Management of Cross-border Cooperation: European Experiences" in Nanning, People's Republic of China. The purpose of the workshop was twofold. Firstly, it aimed at familiarizing participants from PBG member countries with the initiation, planning, management and financing of cross-border cooperation projects as well as the specifics of modes of cooperation, such as formation, legal bases, added value, and difficulties. The second objective of the workshop was to discuss opportunities and challenges of cross-border cooperation in Asia. This report summarises the main themes and results of this event.
On 20 November 2012, the programme Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration (RCI) in Asia of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH convened a workshop on “Social Implications of Economic Integration” in Vientiane, Lao PDR. This document summarise thepurpose, main themes and results of this event.
The launching of a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Shanghai on September 29, 2013 attracted a great deal of attention around the globe. The first Hong Kong-like free trade area in mainland China was personally endorsed by Premier Li Keqiang and is set to promote trade and encourage foreign investment in the country’s tightly regulated service industry. To contribute to a better understanding of the Shanghai FTZ model this paper gives an overview of the implementation process as well as it's underlying guiding principles and legislations.
Quarterly newsletter with information on economic cooperation and integration in Asia from the GIZ programme Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia (RCI). In our newsletter we share information about our programme activities, and further input on the programme’s focus areas such as regionalism, trade facilitation and port cooperation in Asia.
The GIZ supports regional economic integration in Asia through its Support for Economic Cooperation in Sub-Regional Initiatives in Asia (SCSI) program. The program works with sub-regional initiatives like the Greater Tumen Initiative and Pan Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation to strengthen processes of regional integration between countries. The goal is to contribute to sustainable development in the region by promoting cross-border trade and investment, capacity building, and knowledge sharing. In the past, the program has provided training to public and private stakeholders to improve implementation of economic agreements and regional initiatives.
Tourism is an activity that can improve main macroeconomic indicators. The opportunities for sustainable tourism development and the preservation of its competitiveness is largely influenced by the quality of the environment and the preservation of goods and resources. The paper will examine the impact of the number of international arrivals and receipts from international tourism on the GDP per capita for 2009-2015 and its impact on unemployment and the human development index as the selected component of sustainable development. Based on the relationship between these values, the basic relations between the selected indicators will be identified. The results will include all aspects, establish priorities, concrete proposals - strategic projects that can be realized in the coming period in order to increase the number of tourists and tourism revenues, which would affect the economic growth and development of the Republic of Serbia.
The document summarizes the role and functions of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). ESCAP is the regional development arm of the United Nations and serves as the main economic and social development center for the UN in Asia and the Pacific. It has 53 member states and 9 associate member states. ESCAP provides strategic links between global and country-level programs and issues to support governments in the region. It is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand.
Quarterly newsletter with information on economic cooperation and integration in Asia from the GIZ programme Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia (RCI). In our newsletter we share information about our programme activities, and further input on the programme’s focus areas such as regionalism, trade facilitation and port cooperation in Asia.
Trade and investment were the focus of the agenda in 1995 when China and the OECD initiated their co-operation with a first workshop. The partnership now extends across the broad range of core OECD policy areas and
includes more than 30 Chinese ministries and government institutions.
Recent Developments in Exporting Agricultural Goods to China - Workshop on ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 03 March 2017
The document summarizes the keynote speech by Dr. Victor Fung on the economic outlook of Hong Kong in the context of China's 12th Five-Year Plan. The summary is as follows:
(1) Hong Kong faces challenges from increasing regional competition and needs to further integrate economically with mainland China.
(2) The 12th Five-Year Plan aims to transform China's development pattern, improve people's livelihoods, and supports enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international financial center.
(3) The plan presents opportunities for Hong Kong to strengthen its pillar industries and priority sectors by leveraging its strengths and collaborating more with Guangdong through the Framework Agreement on Cooperation.
Abstract for aseanwant_to_achieveitsgoal_of_asean_economic_communityRatha Chan
The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) was established in 1967 with the goal of greater economic integration among its 10 member countries by 2015. It aims to create a single market by reducing barriers and achieving equitable development. However, there are challenges like the development gaps between newer and older members that could hinder achieving the 2015 goals. Initiatives like the Initiative for ASEAN Integration help address these challenges by strengthening capacities. If countries demonstrate sufficient political will and commit to aligning regional and national plans, the AEC could realize its vision of a highly competitive regional economic community.
This document discusses an innovative project finance model used to fund road infrastructure development in Laos. The model uses the future appreciated land value created by new road construction to help fund the present costs. Specifically, it involves:
1) Exchanging land near the planned road for land further away at a 10:1 ratio, or exchanging for cash which is raised through land sales.
2) Auctioning off land surrounding the new road, which is expected to greatly appreciate in value, with proceeds funding the road's construction.
3) This reduces the government's cash needs, lowers borrowing costs, and benefits local landowners - providing a sustainable model for infrastructure development in developing countries.
This document provides a summary of the key points from a report published by the OECD on competitiveness in South East Europe. The report assesses 15 policy dimensions related to competitiveness in 6 economies in the region - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia. It provides indicators to benchmark performances within the region and against the EU. The report was developed through cooperation between SEE governments, regional networks, and the OECD, and acknowledges progress made while calling for more strategic policymaking and stakeholder engagement to further boost competitiveness.
Competitiveness in South East Europe: A Policy Outlook (2016)OECDglobal
Future economic development and the well being of citizens in South East Europe (SEE) depend more than ever on greater economic competitiveness. To underpin the drive to improve competitiveness and foster private investment, an integrated policy approach is needed. This first edition of Competitiveness in South East Europe: A Policy Outlook seeks to help policy makers in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, and Serbia assess their progress towards their growth goals and benchmark them against the good practices adopted by OECD countries and the performance of their regional peers.
This report addresses 15 policy dimensions critical to competitive economies that draw on the South East Europe 2020 Strategy (SEE 2020), a regional growth strategy drawn up by the Regional Cooperation Council and adopted by SEE governments in 2013. The qualitative assessments presented herein use scoring frameworks to enable regional comparisons. A participatory assessment process – that brings together regional policy networks and organisations, policy makers, independent experts and the private sector – ensures a balanced view of performance.
The future of work and skills in the tourism industryDavid Mora
Informe sobre la gestión del talento, competencias y empleo de calidad en el sector turístico, elaborado por la OMT en colaboración con la empresa Cegos
THE IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE DISCLOSURE IN THE SERVICE SECTOR ON ASEAN E...AJHSSR Journal
ABSTRACT : The service sector can be a driving force for the economy of a country by relying on human
resources owned by that country or from other countries. For example, countries that are members of ASEAN
can take advantage of the service sector to improve their economy by relying on the human resources of each
country and the human resources of the countries that are members of ASEAN. This research was conducted on
10 ASEAN members, namely Brunei Darrussalam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The type of data used is quantitative data in the form of secondary
data. Data collection is done through records or reports from relevant sources or agencies.
Keywords:export, import, GDP
The document discusses several socio-economic factors that affect the development of tourism. It begins by stating that environmental factors like good weather and natural attractions are important for tourism development. It then explains that political stability and a favorable government policy towards tourism are also crucial. Accessibility in terms of transportation and infrastructure influences tourism as well. Economic factors such as the economic conditions of potential tourists and the exchange rate impact tourism. The socio-cultural characteristics of a place such as its people, lifestyle, and culture can encourage or discourage tourism. Tourism development requires cooperation between the private and public sectors.
SCSI Presentation on Mongolia’s Regional Integration in Northeast Asia at the National Mongolian University's Conference: Regional Integration and Trade Policy
In December 2017 the Support for Economic Cooperation in Sub-Regional Initiatives in Asia (SCSI) Programme of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH condened a workshop on SPS Challenges and Opportunities in Exporting Agricultural Goods to China in Beijing, China with participants from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and China
Supporting implementation of World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) with the Global and German Alliance for Trade Facilitation for a higher involvment of the Private Sector in trade facilitation Projects.
Presentation on the occasion of the 5th GTI NEA Local Cooperation Committee Meeting and the Logistics Sub-Committee Meeting in Heihe, PR China, 16 August 2017.
This document summarizes Christine Wieck's presentation on facilitating safe agricultural trade based on experiences from EU integration. The presentation outlines how agricultural trade has increased over time but safety regulations create transaction costs. It discusses strategies countries use to cooperate on food safety standards, from coordination and equivalence to harmonization. The EU provides an example of deep integration where food law has gradually harmonized over 28 countries to establish a single market and common food safety system while balancing trade and health.
This document discusses GIZ's approaches to agricultural standards and regional cooperation. It provides two examples of GIZ projects: 1) The Standards in the South-East Asian Food Trade (SAFT) project which aims to align ASEAN food quality standards with international standards to facilitate trade. 2) The Sustainable Agrifood Systems in the ASEAN Region (SAS) project which works to advance agrifood sectors along entire value chains and ensure safe, affordable food. It concludes that regional cooperation can help address issues like inconsistent food regulations and realizes opportunities through projects involving stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
Regional Infrastructure Investment Initiatives: Zero-Sum Game or Win-Win Collaboration? - Proceedings of the Roundtable Meeting on 11-12 September 2015 in Hangzhou, PR China
Elaborated by Jens Gabbe, Chairman of the AEBR Advisory Committee, in the context of the 3rd Meeting of the Greater Tumen Initiative’s Northeast Asia Local Cooperation Committee
7th of August 2015, Choibalsan City, Mongolia
This document provides an analysis of potential for development and cooperation in ports and logistics in the ASEAN-China Pan-Beibu Gulf (ACPBG) region. It summarizes previous studies on topics like the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement and cargo transport models. It also includes an in-depth examination of hinterland connections, market analyses of countries in the region, and competitive analyses of selected ports. Finally, it proposes specific areas for cooperation like cluster formation, skills development, and environmental protection, and provides roadmaps and estimates of the potential welfare effects of cooperation.
On 25-26 August 2014, the „Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration (RCI) in Asia“ Programme of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH convened a conference on „Special Economic Zones in a Regional and Global Context - Economic Significance and Impact” in Shanghai, China. The conference was a two-day event aiming at exchange and discussion of the current scientific discourse on SEZ in respective home countries among policy makers and academia from PR China, Mongolia, and ASEAN member states. Moreover, renowned international experts shared a global perspective on the subject.
The welcoming remarks kicked off the study tour and training on regional best practices of single window implementation and business process analysis in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Representatives from the host country's Single Window State Entity welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of regional knowledge sharing and learning from each other's experiences in implementing single window systems. The objective of the event was to provide both theoretical training and practical insights into business process analysis as a tool for trade facilitation and single window design, as well as an overview of Kyrgyzstan's single window system as an example for participants to learn from. Regional cooperation and capacity building were highlighted as key goals to strengthen smaller countries' engagement in facilitating trade.
Savan-Seno SEZ
- Located in Savannakhet province, it was Lao's first experimental SEZ approved in 2002.
- Focuses on industry, trade, services, and logistics.
- Considered one of the most progressed zones according to Lao authorities.
In light of ongoing negotiations between the Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s (Lao PDR) government and the Chinese People’s Republic (PR China) provincial authorities of Yunnan to set-up a cross-border economic zone (CBEZ), which is supposed to connect Boten, Luangnamtha province (Lao PDR) and Mohan, Yunnan province (PR China), GIZ Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia (RCI) Programme in cooperation with the Secretariat to the Lao National Committee for Special Economic Zones (S-NCSEZ) conducted several joint activities on the topic of “Cross-border Economic Zones/Clusters” in July and September 2013.
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Inputs and Materials: Social Implications of Economic Integration “Managing Cross-Border Labour Migration on a Regional Scale”
1. Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
INPUTS AND MATERIALS
Workshop
Social Implications of Economic Integration
“Managing Cross-Border Labour Migration on a Regional Scale”
2. Imprint
Published by the
Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Registered offices
Bonn and Eschborn, Germany
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
China Office
TaYuan Diplomatic Office
14 Liangmahe South Street, Chaoyang District
10600 Beijing, PR China
T +86-10-8532-5344
F +86-10-8532-5744
Office Mongolia
Naiman Zovkhi Building
Seoul Street 21
Ulaanbaatar 14251, Mongolia
Office Thailand
193/63 Lake Rajada Office Complex
New Ratchadapisek Road, Klongtoey
Bangkok 10110, Thailand
rci-asia@giz.de
www.giz.de
As at
November 2013
Photo credits
Copyrights for all pictures: GIZ
Copyright for cover picture: GIZ/Ursula Meissner
Text
Stefan Hein, Jonas Humpert, Dr. Srawooth Paitoonpong (TDRI) and Guénolé Oudry (IOM Cambodia)
The findings and conclusions expressed in this documentation are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the view of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) or further organising parties. The information provided is without warranty of any kind.
On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
3. Contents
List of Abbreviations
3
Workshop Agenda
4
I. Background
5
II. Introduction
6
III. Welcoming Remarks
8
IV. Workshop Summary
4.1. Objectives and Expectations of the Workshop
4.2 The Need for Managing Cross-Border Labour Migration on a Regional Scale
4.3 Situation Analysis: Cambodia
4.4 Managing Cross-Border Labour Migration: The Role of Regional Frameworks
4.5 Regional Cooperation on Labour Migration
4.6 Recommendations for Cambodia
11
12
13
15
16
18
V. Conclusion
20
References
21
Other Publications by GIZ RCI
22
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
2
4. List of Abbreviations
ADB
AEC
ASEAN
CDRI
CEA
CLMV
COMMIT
CWCC
GDP
GMS
GtoG
HIV
ILO
IOM
Lao PDR
PBG
MoC
MoLVT
MoP
MoPWT
MoRD
MoSVY
MoU
MoWA
NGO
NSDP
RCI
STSLS
TDRI
UN
UNIAP
USD
3
Asian Development Bank
ASEAN Economic Community
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Cambodian Development Resource Institute
Cambodian Economic Association
Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam
Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative against Trafficking
Cambodian Women’s Crisis Center
Gross Domestic Product
Greater Mekong Subregion
Government-to-Government
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
International Labour Organisation
International Organization for Migration
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Pan Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation
Ministry of Commerce
Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training
Ministry of Planning
Ministry of Public Work and Transport
Ministry of Rural Development
Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation
Memorandum of Understanding
Ministry of Women Affairs
Non-Governmental Organisation
National Strategic Development Plan
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration
National Committee Secretariat to Lead the Suppression of Human Trafficking,
Smuggling, Labour Exploitation and Sexual Exploitation in Women and Children
Thailand Development Research Institute Foundation
United Nations
United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking
United States Dollar
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
5. Workshop Agenda
16.10.2013, Sunway Hotel, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
8:30 – 9:00
Registration of Participants
9:00 – 9:15
Welcoming Remarks
Dr. Leul Ayalew Mekonnen, Chief of Mission, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Cambodia
9:15 – 9:45
Objectives and Expectations of the Workshop
9:45 –10:30
Keynote Presentation
Social Implications of Economic Integration: The Need For Managing Cross-Border Labour Migration on a Regional Scale
Dr. Srawooth Paitoonpong, Thailand Development Research Institute Foundation (TDRI)
10:30 – 11:00
Situation Analysis: Cambodia
Stock Taking guided by the Facilitators
11:00 – 11:15
Coffee &Tea Break
10:45 – 11:15
Group Photograph and Coffee/ Tea Break
11:15 – 12:30
Keynote Presentation by Yuko Hamada
Managing Cross-Border Labour Migration: The Role of Regional Frameworks
Yuko Hamada, Senior Regional Labour Migration Specialist, International Organization for Migration
(IOM)
12:30 – 14:00
Lunch
Sunway Hotel Phnom Penh
14:00 – 15:30
Regional Cooperation on Labour Migration:
Lesson Learnt from MOUs Between Thailand and Neighbouring Countries
Dr. Srawooth Paitoonpong
Review of Action Plans Under the Regional Framework
Yuko Hamada
15:30 – 15:45
Coffee and Tea Break
15:45 – 17:00
Recommendations for Cambodia
Joint Discussion guided by the Facilitators
17:00 – 17:30
Wrap up and Evaluation
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
4
6. I. Background
Asia is one of the most diverse regions in the world. This is particularly true with regard to economic development. Over the last three decades, the region has experienced a remarkable economic transformation and Asian economies have grown at an unprecedented pace. Hundreds of
millions of people were lifted out of poverty. However, Asia still remains a region of enormous
disparity in income levels and socioeconomic conditions (ADB, 2006a: 2). Whereas Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong rank among the richest economies in the world in terms of GDP per capita,
countries such as Cambodia, the Lao PDR and Myanmar continue to stay among the poorest
economies (World Bank, 2013). Hence, the greatest development challenge the region is facing
remains poverty reduction.
By regionally interconnecting national economies, regional cooperation and integration (RCI) is
considered to be one of the key instruments to respond to this challenge and complement efforts to reduce poverty at the individual country level (ADB, 2006a: iii; ADB, 2006b: 3). Against
the backdrop of continuing and ever-changing process of globalisation, RCI in Asia is expanding,
bringing with it both benefits and costs (ADB, 2013a: 1). While improved infrastructure and
transportation have resulted in deepened trade relations, providing economic benefits to all
countries in the Pan-Beibu Gulf region (PBG), it has also widened the gaps between the countries. In the case of Cambodia this development has resulted in enhanced labour migration,
mainly to Thailand, but also in other secondary migration to neighbouring countries and the
PBG region (ADB, 2013b: 1).
Despite efforts to regulate labour migration from Cambodia to Thailand, most migrants opt for
irregular channels, which prove to be faster and cheaper. As a result, they migrate without adequate information about their destination or proper work contracts, which leaves them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. On the other hand, migrant remittances, for instance, are a valuable and stable source of foreign exchange for Cambodia. Some migrant workers learn skills onthe-job which might be difficult to acquire at home. Others develop a broader vision of their
future during frequent seasonal migration. Hence, there is a clear link between migration and
development, which has to be managed and facilitated carefully.
This becomes particularly relevant for Cambodia in view of the ASEAN Economic Community
(AEC 2015) scheduled to be launched in 2015. Only if the Cambodian government is able to
manage labour migration on a regional scale, the establishment of a single market and the free
flow of goods, services, and capital will benefit the economy and Cambodia's future development.
II. Introduction
5
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
7. On 16 October 2013, the programme “Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration (RCI) in
Asia” of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in collaboration
with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) convened a workshop on “Social Implications of Economic Integration: Managing Cross-Border Labour Migration on a Regional Scale” in
Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The workshop aimed to address the demand for capacity development
and deepened dialogue between relevant line ministries and key stakeholders engaged in labour migration related issues in Cambodia. The following pages summarise the purpose, main
themes and results of this event.
The workshop’s goals were:
• to facilitate a dialogue among relevant stakeholders,
• to exchange information and experience in order to develop and strengthen cooperation
among relevant stakeholders,
• to gain a better understanding of labour migration management on a regional scale, particularly in view of AEC 2015,
• to build the capacity to assess and manage labour migration on a regional scale,
• to reach a common understanding of social aspects of regional integration,
• to develop policy recommendations and identify next steps in order to meet the challenges of
cross-border labour migration in the PBG.
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
6
8. Around 20 participants attended the workshop and jointly discussed the challenges and strategies for managing cross-border labour migration on a regional scale. Participants included representatives of the following ministries: Ministry of Commerce (MoC), Ministry of Labour and
Vocational Training (MoLVT), Ministry of Planning (MoP), Ministry of Public Work and Transport (MoPWT), Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and
Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY), and Ministry of Women Affairs (MoWA). Moreover, representatives from the Cambodian Economic Association (CEA), the Cambodian Women’s Crisis Center
(CWCC) as well as the Cambodian Development Resource Institute (CDRI) joined the event.
We are pleased to present in this report the thoughts generated in the various discussions during the workshop as well as summaries of all presentations.
Key findings expressed in the discussions during workshop
Key problems:
• Inability to afford the cost of legal recruitment is the predominant factor for irregular labour migration
in Cambodia.
• Time-consuming recruitment processes push migrants to use irregular channels.
• The social costs of migration generally outweigh the social benefits of labour migration.
Therefore, policies and measures to reduce the social costs of migration are urgently required.
• The concept of labour migration management is quite new to Cambodia. The National Policy on
Labour Migration is rather new (2010) and failures in its implementation revealed a lack of overall
coherence, a lack of coordination and unclear definitions of responsibilities and mandates.
• Restrictive immigration policies in labour-receiving countries and complex legal recruitment
processes were among the key forces driving job seekers into irregular migration.
• Policy management at the ministry level remains weak, but the issue of labour migration is
moving up to the national agenda.
• There is no standard employment contract or pre-departure training curriculum.
• On the Thai side, conflicts of interest at the ground level slower labour migration law enforcement.
• Working conditions and access to social services in receiving countries do not comply with
international standards.
Possible Solutions:
• Costs associated with the process of legalising migrant workers should be minimised by all means.
• The government, line ministries, NGOs, and civil societies should strengthen the recruitment process
and enhance social protection of migrant workers in order to promote regular migration.
• Supportive programmes for migrant workers should be strengthened through pre-departure
training, information, standardisation of training and skills, access to social services, and
portability of benefits.
• Official remittance transfer channels have to be established in order to unleash the development
potential of cross-border labour migration.
For detailed country-specific policy recommendations please refer to page 18
7
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
9. III. Welcoming Remarks
Dr. Leul Ayalew Mekonnen, Chief of Mission, IOM Cambodia
Excellencies,
Distinguished Participants,
Co-organizers and trainers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of IOM Cambodia and the co-organizers, GIZ, I wish to extend a warm welcome to all
of you to this important workshop on Social Implications of Economic Integration: “Managing
Cross-Border Labour Migration on a Regional Scale”.
As many of you know migration has become the megatrend of the 21st century. In the year 2010,
the world population reached a total of seven billion people and one in every seven persons is a
migrant, that is to say, nearly 1 billion of the world’s 7 billion people live outside their place of
birth. 740 million are internal migrants who never leave their country or cross an international
border while 232 million are international migrants living outside their countries of origin.
Compared to other regions of destination, Asia saw the largest increase of international migrants since 2000. Over the past 13 years Asia added some 20 million international migrants.
Socio-economic disparities, degradation of the environment and climate change, and increased
labour demand in fast growing economies in the South (low and middle income countries) and
the ageing North (high income countries) are considered major driving forces ensuring that
migration remains in large scale in the future.
In the context of globalization and increasingly interconnected world, migration becomes an
essential imperative to sustaining development and ensuring social welfare. For instance, foreign born workforce represents more than 10% of workforce in Western Europe. And South
East Asia is not an exception. ASEAN region supplies around 6% of world’s migrant workers and
at least 30 percent of them migrate within-ASEAN countries. As much as 63 percent of the work
force in Singapore is foreign born, for instance.
The main challenges today that countries face in managing labour migration are: development
of sound labour migration policies, coherent legal and institutional frameworks, ensuring respect for human rights of migrant workers and protection of migrants against abuse and exploitation.
Traditionally, policy discussions on migration focused on movements of people from low/middle-income countries to more affluent ones, in search of a better life. However, this trend
has significantly changed due to the economic down turn in the West and increased economical
growth in the South. According to IOM’s World Migration Report of 2013 which was published
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
8
10. last month, the South-North migration corridor currently constitutes only 45% of the global
migration today, and the remaining are mix of South-South (35%), North-North (17%) and even
North South migration (3%).
It is worth to note that significant portion of labour migration in South East Asia is irregular or
undocumented. The causes of irregular migration are many and complex; the push factors in
countries of origin are mainly chronic poverty, lack of employment, economic hardship, and
lengthy, complex and expensive legal recruitment procedures as well as restrictive immigration
policies in labour-receiving countries. Some studies conducted in Cambodia suggest that inability to afford the cost of legal recruitment is a predominant factor for irregular labour migration.
In addition, time and recruitment processes also push migrants to use irregular channels. As we
all know migrants who use irregular channels often face abusive and exploitative situations,
including sexual and physical harassment and lack of access to legal protection. Rural women
and youth are in particular the most vulnerable for such exploitative practices. Sadly, migrant
workers who use regular channels are also not immune to exploitation and abuse due to malpractice of recruitment agencies and lack of robust regulatory mechanisms.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
IOM Cambodia had been working closely with the Royal Government of Cambodia over the past
two decades. Promotion of safe migration has been one of the core activities of our mission in
Cambodia. In 2010, IOM in close collaboration with MoLVT developed a pre-departure orientation manual for migrant workers on Safe Migration. The underlying principle for the development of this important manual is that migration experience is considerably and positively enhanced by pre-departure training on safe migration for prospective migrants which will also
allow them to reach informed decisions. In same year (2010) IOM also implemented a project
on village based activities in close collaboration with MoWA. The core objective of the project
was to disseminate at community level reliable information about safe migration, including employment opportunities, dangers of trafficking, rights and responsibilities of migrants, and access to assistance from local service providers including the police.
IOM also continues to provide assistance to victims of trafficking. IOM Cambodia’s migrant assistance programme has helped more than 1,130 Cambodian victims of trafficking since 2007.
Male victims of trafficking are on the rise recently most of whom are trafficked for the fishing
industry in Thailand. At the beginning of this year, IOM assisted return and re-integration of 32
Cambodian male victims of trafficking from Mauritius, who were trafficked to work on Thai fishing boats for years in slave-like conditions.
9
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
11. Universal instruments such as the UN Convention on Migrant Workers, Regional frame-works
such as the ASEAN Declaration on the Right of Migrant Workers as well as national strategies
such as those stipulated in the Cambodian Rectangular Strategy and NSDP offer legal and institutional framework to facilitate labour migration and to certain extent also to protect rights of
migrants. However, a lot still needs to be done. Irregular cross-border labour migration still
exists in large scale, for instance along the long and porous border between Cambodia and Thailand. In addition, human trafficking and smuggling remain to be critical challenges to the gains
made so far.
I believe, this workshop will offer a platform for all of you to discuss about the opportunities
and challenges that labour migration brings in. I also believe that the workshop in particular
will allow you to take stock of substantial achievements made in addressing irregular labour
migration in the region, facilitate a dialogue to develop and strengthen cooperation among your
ministries, and help build the capacities of Cambodia’s government to assess and manage the
challenge of labour migration.
Finally, I would like to thank GIZ for co-organizing this important workshop in partnership with
IOM and for covering the costs of the workshop.
I would like to warmly welcome you to this important workshop once again, and I wish you a
successful and fruitful day.
Thank you.
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
10
12. IV. Workshop Summary
4.1 Objectives and Expectations of the Workshop
As an introduction to the workshop, participants were asked
to introduce themselves and to describe their role and duties
at work. Furthermore, as a response to the question “What
needs to happen in this workshop to make it really worth
your time?”, each participant shared one major expectation
with the group. The results of this session can be clustered in
three categories:
• Knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning
-To exchange knowledge, views and information to better understand the subject.
-To learn from practitioners’ points of view.
-To apply the newly learned skills at work.
• Understanding economic and social implications of cross-border labour migration
-To receive the latest information on the topic.
-To gain a better understanding of economic integration (in particular AEC 2015) and its
impact on labour migration flows within the PBG.
• Working out policy recommendations for Cambodia
-To get an idea how to manage labour migration on a regional scale more successfully.
-To improve political efforts in order to achieve regional solutions.
-To protect rural migrant workers.
11
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
13. 4.2 The Need for Managing Cross-Border Labour Migration on a Regional Scale
Dr. Srawooth Paitoonpong, Senior Research Fellow, TDRI, Thailand
In their discussion on social implications of economic integration,
participants were introduced to the topic by a keynote presentation on Social Implications of Economic Integration: The Need For
Managing Cross-Border Labour Migration on a Regional Scale by
Dr. Srawooth Paitoonpong from the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).
The discussion included a comprehensive definition of “Economic
Integration”, the role of regional economic integration on cross
border labour migration, an enumeration of the social implications of cross-border labour migration, their nature and extent, as well as a development on the
need for managing cross-border labour migration on a regional scale.
Participants strongly noted that the social costs of migration (such as an increased exposure to
trafficking, the interrelationship between health risks and migration; the risks of human rights
violation, exploitation and abuse, corruption and bad governance, poor labour standards; brain
drain; the impact of migration on the migrant’s children development) generally outweighed the
social benefits of labour migration, (such as the impact of remittances on the socio-economic
development process in the regions of origin; the opportunity of transferring skills and technologies upon returning home). Therefore, policies and measures to reduce the social costs of
migration were called for by participants.
Another issue raised by participants of the workshop was the increased vulnerability of migrant
workers during the migration cycle. This was looked at through the example of prevalence rate
of HIV in migrant communities. According to participants, the comparison of prevalence rates
between host and sending communities had been seen irrelevant, as these figures show the reality of the sending communities, without establishing systematic links between migration and a
higher exposure to HIV.
Ms. Yuko Hamada, Senior Regional Labour Migration/Migration and Development Specialist,
IOM, also reported on the importance of implementing health assessments, based on the demand formulated by most of the developed countries’ governments. This practice could be seen
as a benefit for both the receiving and sending countries.
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
12
14. 4.3 Situation Analysis: Cambodia
In the stock taking session, participants discussed Cambodia's current situation regarding regional labour migration management. The analysis began with a “scaling dance”. The participants were asked to define Cambodia's baseline status regarding the management of crossborder migration on a regional scale. Thus, they physically positioned themselves on a scale
from 1 to 10, which had been marked on the floor of the meeting room (10 meaning the ideal
state and 1 meaning the absolute opposite). The "scaling dance" was a lively exercise and generated many responses to the follow-up questions regarding participants’ assessment of Cambodia’s situation. The scaling dance was followed by an interactive presentation by Dr. Paitoonpong and Mr. Chan Sophal from the Cambodia Economic Association (CEA). The assessment
provided rich information including the following:
• The population of Cambodia would start aging by 2028, considering that a society is aging
when the population gets over 60 years old. In the Cambodian case in the year 2028 this
would be more than 10 percent of the entire population. This characteristic is an advantage
in terms of demographic dividend, with the availability of growing workforce; compared to
the population aging situation faced by Singapore, Japan or Thailand.
• The profile of Cambodian migrants evolved from a majority of migrants being refugees
(1980s-1990s) and asylum-seekers to predominant flows of migrant workers for economic
reasons (1990s, 2000).
• Cambodia is a latecomer in the area of labour migration management. The National Policy on
Labour Migration is rather new (2010) and failures in its implementation revealed a lack of
overall coherence and coordination as well as unclear definitions of responsibilities and
mandates.
• Irregular migration from Cambodia remains an overwhelming trend and keeps increasing.
Reference has been made to a survey conducted among 526 households in four provinces in
Cambodia in 2007 (migrant and non-migrant), which revealed that most of the migrants
there were irregular (96 percent). Mostly, undocumented migrants tended to face chronic
poverty and migrated to support households.
13
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
15. • Most irregular migrant families have a lower economic status than regular migrants and live
below the poverty line.
• The causes of irregular migration are manifold, ranging from chronic poverty, lack of employment and economic hardship in the community of origin to restrictive immigration policies in labour-receiving countries and lengthy, complex and expensive legal recruitment. The
predominant factor is inability to afford the cost of legal recruitment.
• Legal recruitment is expensive (around USD 700 to Thailand) and time-consuming, informal
recruitment takes only a few days and requires no or few documents.
• As irregular migration is increasing, so does the overall trafficking caseload (men in the fishing industry, women in the entertainment industry).
• Regular labour migrants from Cambodia are estimated accumulatively to have been approximately 20,000 up to 2007.
• Restrictive immigration policies in labour-receiving countries and complex legal recruitment
processes were among the key forces driving job seekers into irregular migration.
• Thailand displays a number of pull factors which make the destination even more attractive
than Phnom Penh and other major Cambodian urban areas.
• On the Thai side, conflicts of interest at the ground level slower labour migration law enforcement.
In addition, participants discussed the following key points regarding the barriers and obstacles
for a proper implementation of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between
Thailand and Cambodia:
• Policy management at the ministry level remains weak, but the issue of labour migration is
moving up to the national agenda.
• Recruitment processes of migrant workers are both unequal and unfitted to the demand and
supply structure on the regional labour market. Passport issuance in Cambodia is costly and
time-consuming.
• There is no standard employment contract or pre-departure training curriculum.
• Working conditions and access to social services in receiving countries do not comply with
international standards.
In this connection, the participants recommended that:
• For Cambodia, passport fees and visa application processing should be reviewed and an enabling environment for more transparent recruitment processes should be created.
• On the Thai side, opportunities to resort to illegal employment should be tackled.
• All costs associated in the process of legalising migrant workers should be minimised by all
means.
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
14
16. 4.4 Managing Cross-Border Labour Migration: The Role of Regional Frameworks
Yuko Hamada, Senior Regional Labour Migration Specialist, IOM, Thailand
After the “Situation Analysis: Cambodia” session, another keynote
presentation was held by Ms. Yuko Hamada on Managing CrossBorder Labour Migration: The Role of Regional Frameworks.
She reminded the audience that 3 to 5 million people in the region
were migrants, of which 60 percent settled in Thailand. Therefore,
she emphasised that the role of regional frameworks to manage
cross-border labour migration becomes more and more important.
To further underline this point, Ms. Hamada showed a country-tocountry comparison. She stated that new regional migration profiles
can be observed, such as increasing flows between Nepal and Qatar (400,000 workers), increasing flows to Malaysia, (mostly domestic workers and female migrants). Ms. Hamada also gave
examples of national policy responses in the field of labour migration management, such as the
case of Bangladesh, which moved from a recruitment process run by private employment agencies to a G to G – Government to Government - recruitment process.
A key statement made in the presentation was that intra-regional migration is expected to continue to increase and intra-regional migration will contribute to regional development. Furthermore, though the Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative against Trafficking (COMMIT)
and the United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking (UNIAP) led to substantial
progress in information sharing on counter-trafficking, critical gaps remain with regard to the
management of such data. Similar issues are encountered in the field of intra-regional labour
migration information sharing.
In order to fully harness the benefits from the AEC and better respond to the subsequent challenges, particular attention needs to be paid on strengthening the registration process and the
issuing of identification cards for migrant workers, enhancing protection and law enforcement
to promote regular migration, monitoring and evaluating migration flows by developing coordination mechanisms and vigilance taskforces (immigration officers, MoLVT, NGOs, and community leaders), and improving overall governance through pre-departure training, information
packages, standardisation of training and skills, access to social services and portability of benefits, remittance transfer channels, and productive returns.
Ms Hamada concluded by emphasising the need for coordinated and concerted actions, as national policies are not likely to solve regional or international challenges in the field of labour
migration management.
15
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
17. 4.5 Regional Cooperation on Labour Migration
Yuko Hamada, Senior Regional Labour Migration Specialist, IOM, Thailand
Dr. Srawooth Paitoonpong, Senior Research Fellow, TDRI, Thailand
In Session III on Regional Cooperation on Labour Migration, the facilitators adopted a “Caravan”
format to blend participants together for the purpose of an informal brain storming.
For this, the room was prepared with two stations – called oases. The first oasis, Lessons Learnt
from MoUs between Thailand and Neighboring Countries, was moderated by Dr. Paitoonpong,
whereas the second oasis, Review of Action Plans under the Regional Framework, was facilitated
by Ms. Hamada. The participants were divided into two working groups (caravans) who worked
together throughout the full caravan cycle.
The experts (oasis owner) first introduced the topic and then facilitated a free flow of discussions among the participants. After 30 minutes, participants of the two groups switched stations.
Following the two oasis discussions, the caravan cycle was completed and participants reunited
into one group to formulate recommendations based primarily on the Caravan discussions.
Dr. Paitoonpong’s presentation on Lessons Learnt from MOUs between Thailand and Neighbouring Countries included the following key points:
• The trends of CLM undocumented migrant workers in
Thailand.
• Structural causes of Thailand’s registration system
failure.
• A historical perspective on regional cooperation.
• MoUs’ main principles, with reference to the Bangkok
Declaration on Irregular Migration.
• Description of the process of importing workers under
MoUs.
• Lessons learnt and results (assessment of MoU implementation, importation and the national verification
Process.
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
16
18. Ms. Hamada’s presentation on Review of Action Plans under the Regional Framework included
the latest developments of the regional regulatory frameworks, including the non-binding
agreements, such as:
• The Colombo process which sets up a coordination mechanism of labour ministers of labour
migrant sending countries (ten countries from Asia).
• The Bali process which sets up a coordination mechanism of law enforcement officials to
eradicate irregular migration and eliminating trafficking.
• The Abu Dhabi Dialogue process which sets up a coordination mechanism of countries of
destination (GCC), established to balance the Colombo process.
• The ASEAN Labour Ministers Work Plan.
• The ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour, an annual forum which comprises ASEAN officials,
civil society and NGOs.
• The ILO Convention 185, highly relevant for Cambodia, as many migrants are employed in
the fishery sector.
• Frameworks promoting highly skilled migrant worker.
Infobox
The Colombo process:
http://www.colomboprocess.org/
The Bali process:
http://www.baliprocess.net/
The Abu Dhabi Dialogue:
http://www.gfmd.org/en/rcp/abu-dhabi
http://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/what-we-do/regional-processes-1/rcps-by-region/abu-dhabi-dialogue.html
ASEAN Labour Ministers Work Plan:
http://www.asean.org/resources/publications/asean-publications/item/work-plans-of-the-asean-senior-labour-officials-meeting-slom
ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour:
http://www.ilo.org/asia/whatwedo/events/WCMS_209146/lang--en/index.htm
ILO Convention 185:
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P12100_ILO_CODE:C185
Recommended Readings:
Facilitating Safe Labor Migration in the Greater Mekong Subregion (by ADB/ IOM)
http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/pub/2013/facilitating-safe-labor-migration-gms.pdf
Policy On Labour Migration For Cambodia (by MoLVT/ ILO)
http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/documents/publication/wcms_145704.pdf
Cost and Benefits of Cross-Country Labour Migration the GMS: Cambodia Country Study (by CDRI)
http://www.cdri.org.kh/webdata/download/wp/wp44e.pdf
Strategic Framework and Action Plan for Human Resource Development in the Greater Mekong Subregion (2013–2017) (by ADB)
http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/gms-sfap-hrd-2013-2017.pdf
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Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
19. 4.6 Recommendations for Cambodia
In the closing session on “Recommendations for Cambodia”, participants were provided with
blank cards. They were given 10 to 15 minutes to write down at least one "key recommendation". Afterwards the facilitators encouraged participants to explain their recommendation(s)
and clustered them as followed:
1. To promote regular migration, the government, line ministries, NGOs, and civil societies should strengthen the recruitment process and enhance social protection of migrant
workers.
1.2. Despite the fact that a number of policies and regulatory frameworks have been established
over the last decade to better manage the challenges associated with increasing migration flows
within and outside the GMS, implementation remains weak and inefficient. Thus, for Cambodia,
the government and other stakeholders should establish concerted and reliable implementation
and coordination mechanisms such as the vigilance taskforce instituted in recent years in Bangladesh which monitors and assesses migration flows and is aimed at promoting and guaranteeing the rights of labour migrants. The taskforce must involve officials and decision makers from
line ministries and relevant departments, including immigration officers, representatives of the
MoLVT, of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, as well as community leaders. The taskforce should
be allocated adequate powers to catch and court offenders and perpetrators, and sufficient resources to fulfil its mandate.
1.3. The government and stakeholders should improve coordination and establish information
sharing mechanisms between existing institutions involved in combating counter-trafficking,
under the frameworks of the COMMIT and the National Committee Secretariat to Lead the Suppression of Human Trafficking, Smuggling, Labor Exploitation, and Sexual Exploitation in
Women and Children (STSLS).
1.4. The participation of sub-national level authorities (provincial, district, and commune levels)
in the regulatory framework should be enhanced by relevant agencies.
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
18
20. 1.5. The government should strengthen or improve protection mechanisms for migrant workers
during their stay abroad through the appointment of labour attachés within the Cambodian embassies and consular established in the receiving countries to enhance the provision of direct
services to migrant workers.
1.6. The government should strengthen internal control and monitoring of employment recruitment agencies, in compliance with the Sub-decree 190. It should also establish public recruitment agencies and categorise recruitment processes by sectors. It should also attempt,
through appropriate mechanisms, to transfer the burden of employment fees from the migrant
workers to migrant sending agencies or employers in receiving countries.
1.7. Passport fees and processing time need to be reduced. The government should also establish a network of offices to issue passports both in Phnom Penh and in the key provinces.
1.8. The ministries concerned should minimise costs associated with the process of legalising
migrant workers (both locally and overseas).
2. Supportive programmes for migrant workers can be strengthened through predeparture training, information, standardisation of training and skills, access to social
services and portability of benefits, remittance transfer channels, and productive return.
2.1. The government and line ministries should develop literacy programmes on remittancemanagement targeted at female headed households, train stakeholders from private sectors to
develop initiatives and incentives for investment purposes; establish affordable and formal remittance-transfer channels and provide accessible counselling sessions for migrants upon return to Cambodia.
2.2. The responsible ministries and departments should produce and disseminate in-depth
analysis on the social costs and benefits of migration and a developed subsequent plan of action.
2.3. The government should develop sustainable forms and channels for awareness raising
among migrant communities, through the identification of cost-effective and permanent information channels (MRCs, sub-office at the Immigration department, medias), rather than ad hoc
information campaigns.
2.4. The government should produce and disseminate
targeted local labour market assessments to identify alternative options for prospective migrants (domestically)
and identify new niches of employment internationally.
2.5. The government should develop sustainable technology transfer mechanisms and promote return of
qualified migrants.
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Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
21. V. Conclusion
The workshop stirred a fruitful dialogue on the following key issues: (1) developing and
strengthening cooperation among stakeholders from relevant line ministries and institutions/
organisations in Cambodia (2) promoting the capacity of Cambodia to assess and manage labour
migration on a regional scale and (3) reaching a common understanding, among Cambodian
stakeholders, of social aspects of regional integration. It assembled participants from relevant
line ministries, research institutions and non-government institutions. Participants actively
contributed to the discussion on causes for and consequences of illegal labour migration as well
as on possible solutions to labour migration problems in Cambodia. The workshop achieved its
goal of mapping the status quo and developing concrete and realistic steps for future action. It
resulted in a number of sensible recommendations for Cambodia primarily aimed at providing
social protection for migrant workers from Cambodia.
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20
22. References
Asian Development Bank (2006a): “Regional Cooperation and Integration Strategy”, Manila,
Philippines: Asian Development Bank, 2006.
Asian Development Bank (2006b): “Regional Cooperation and Integration in Asia”, Background
Paper for the Asia 2015 Conference, Manila, Philippines: Asian Development Bank, 2006.
Asian Development Bank (2013a): “Regional Cooperation and Integration in a Changing World”,
Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Asian Development Bank, 2013.
Asian Development Bank (2013b): “Facilitating Safe Labor Migration in the Greater Mekong
Subregion Issues, Challenges, and Forward-Looking Interventions”, Mandaluyong City,
Philippines: Asian Development Bank, 2013.
World Bank (2013): “Data, GDP (current US$)”, online cited May 2013, available from:
http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.KD?order=wbapi_data_value_2011+
wbapi_data_value+wbapi_data_value-last&sort=desc.
21
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