Regional Integration Essay Example
Regional Integration Essay Example

Regional Integration Essay Example

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  • Pages: 2 (478 words)
  • Published: May 23, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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The aim of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) is to establish a consolidated regional market comprising more than 600 million people in diverse Asean nations, including Thailand, by 2015. Many companies are preparing to confront and capitalize on the challenges and opportunities that will result from this initiative. The integration process facilitated by the AEC will foster cooperation among Asean members, resulting in increased efficiency, dynamism, and aspiration. Integration will simplify cross-border movement within the region for goods, services, capital investment, and individuals. One key advantage of regional integration is that trade restrictions can be eliminated.

Unconditional free trade can enhance the economy by enabling nations to focus on producing goods and services more effectively. This leads to reduced costs, enhanced access to products, heightened job prospects, and lower operating expenses. The growth of the economy is also st

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imulated through neighboring countries and major corporations' influence that can have a positive impact on political outlooks. By diminishing tax barriers related to trading services, goods, and manufactured goods components, it becomes feasible to establish agreements and integration among countries.

According to the Asia News Network (2012), proceeding with regional integration offers numerous benefits for Thailand, providing a substantial contingency for both Thailand and the region to benefit from a more sustainable approach by leveraging a greater economy of scale. Regional integration also leads to various commercial advancements, making consumer items and goods easily tradable, even if they are not typically associated with the country's cultural heritage but were manufactured in one location. It serves as an invocation for Thailand as an open regional market would push Thai producers to think outside of the box to maintain their competitive

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edge. However, joining the AEC also presents both opportunities and threats to Thai industries.

Hesitation towards participating in the AEC opening can adversely affect product competitiveness. AEC's reduced tariffs will result in a loss of 7-8 billion baht annually for Thailand. Integration at the regional level brings about expansive markets and heightened competition through the removal of trade barriers between neighboring countries. This facilitates better resource allocation and improved productivity among member countries and stimulates a "trade creation effect" that boosts economic development (Planning and Development in Thailand, n.d.)

For combined economies, certain aspects are unquestionably essential. The development of a larger regional market is likely to increase trade opportunities for countries outside the region. However, the removal of trade barriers between regional members may lead to less efficient trade with non-regional countries, resulting in negative trade diversion effects. (Business in Asia, n.)

Complications in the extensiveness of liberalization will arise as a result of variance in the region. This issue was highlighted during the formation of AFTA and subsequent debates over exclusion lists, which have contributed to AFTA's current underwhelming performance.

When it comes to inclusion lists and the level of liberalization, diversity may pose challenges for the AIA.

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