ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations

What?
A geo-political and economic organization of 10 countries located in Southeast Asia namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore ,Thailand, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Main aims are to acceleration of economic growth, social progress, cultural development among its members, the protection of the peace and stability of the region, and to provide opportunities for member countries to discuss differences peacefully.

Roles in economic aspects

Free Trade Area
A common external preferential tariff scheme to promote the free flow of goods within ASEAN. Increases ASEAN's competitive edge as a production base in the world market through the elimination, within ASEAN, of tariffs and non-tariff barriers. Attracts more foreign direct investment to ASEAN since corporations can now save costs on the taxes.

Comprehensive Investment Area

The ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Area (ACIA) will encourage the free flow of investment within ASEAN All industries are to be opened up for investments which meant potential increase of FDI Elimination of investment impediments and streamlining of investment process and procedures which meant more efficient investments procedures which is time saving.

Single Aviation Market

Liberalise air travel between its member states, allowing ASEAN to directly benefit from the growth in air travel around the world, and also freeing up tourism, trade, investment and services flows between member states.

Roles in social aspects

S.E.A. Write Award

Is a literary award given to Southeast Asian poets and writers as a recognition of an author's lifetime achievement Promotes and encourages more Southeast Asians to write poetries , short stories, novels, plays, folklore as well as scholarly and religious works. Scholarship The ASEAN Scholarship is a scholarship program offered by Singapore to the 9 other member states for secondary school, junior college, and university education to academically outstanding Southeast Asian youths. It covers accommodation, food, medical benefits & accident insurance, school fees, and examination fees.

Sports
Southeast Asian Games, ASEAN Para Games held and participated by the 11 countries located in Southeast Asia to promote cooperation, understanding and relations among countries in the Southeast Asian region through sports.

Criticism
ASEAN is less successful at restraining its members and resolving border disputes such as those between Myanmar and Thailand and Indonesia and Malaysia as ASEAN is unable to influence the thinking of the regime to any significant effect ( especially Myanmars situation) Made up of whole spectrum in political terms ( from military authoritarian rule to socialist authoritarian rule) , which is hard to build co-operation thats based on really far-reaching, common norms and ways of behaving in political and social policy.

 Made some progress in terms of economic integrationthat its still a grouping of states that have very diverse political systems, ranging from fairly successful experimentation with democracy in Indonesias case, through to a military authoritarian state in the case of Burma (Myanmar) or socialist authoritarian states in the case of Vietnam or Laos and absolute monarchy in the case of Brunei