The ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) is an important document that governs the services sector in Southeast Asia. Signed in 1995, it is a binding agreement between the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The AFAS aims to liberalize trade in services among ASEAN member states, with the ultimate goal of creating a single market and production base in the region. It covers a wide range of services sectors, including telecommunications, transportation, financial services, and professional services, among others. The ultimate aim of the agreement is to facilitate the free flow of services across borders, which is expected to benefit consumers, businesses, and the overall economy in the long run.
The full text of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services is available in PDF format on the ASEAN website. The document is relatively lengthy, comprising 32 pages in total. It is divided into several sections, including an introduction, definitions, scope and coverage, general obligations, specific commitments, and institutional arrangements.
One of the key provisions of the AFAS is the Most-Favored Nation (MFN) treatment, which requires each ASEAN member state to treat other members equally in terms of market access and national treatment. This means that services providers from any ASEAN member state must be treated no less favorably than domestic services providers in another member state.
Another important provision is the transparency and information sharing requirement, which obliges ASEAN member states to provide each other with relevant information related to the services covered by the agreement. This is intended to ensure that regulations and policies related to the services sector are communicated effectively and transparently, and that all member states are aware of changes that may affect their services providers.
Overall, the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services is an essential document for anyone interested in the services sector in Southeast Asia. Its provisions are designed to create a more open, competitive, and integrated market for services in the region, which is expected to benefit both businesses and consumers. The PDF version of the agreement is readily available and can be easily accessed by those who require it.