US Launches Development Assistance Programme For Asean
By Sonia K

Bandar Seri Begawan - The US Department of State and the US Agency for international Development ( USA ID) yesterday announced a development assistance programme to help the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( Asean) achieve its goal of establishing a peaceful, prosperous and stable community of nations — the Asean Community — by 2015.

The programme, called "Advance", will run for eight years to match Asean's time frame for achieving the Ascan Community. Advance was funded at $7 million in 2007 and will continue to be funded on an annual basis.

Advance, which stands for "Asean Development Vision to Advance National Cooperation and Economic Integration", is meant to realise the development goals established in 2006 under the Asean-US enhanced Partnership Plan of Action.

According to a press release from USAID Asia, Scot Marcie', the US Deputy Assistant of State for East Asia and the Pacific, and Oliver Carduner, USA1D's Regional Mission Director, made the announcement yesterday with Surin Pitsuvvan, the new Secretary-General of Asean.

Advance is the cornerstone of US AID'S regional assistance programme to Asean, according to Carduner. "Advance is designed to strengthen the Asean Secretariat as an institution provide assistance to select Asean sub-regions and member nations, and facilitate greater economic integration and improved governance with the region," he said.

Marcie', meanwhile, underlined the US Government's support of Ascan.

"The Joint Vision Statement of the Asean-US Enhanced Partnership, announced by US President George W Bush and Asean leaders in 2005, demonstrates the commitment of the US and our friends and allies in Southeast Asia to work together," he said. "We have a strong record of cooperation with Asean, and Advance will deepen our engagement in the region."

The statement added that USAID recently launched three regional programmes under Advance namely: (1) Asean-US Technical Assistance and Training Facility; (2) Asean Single Window Programme; aid, (3) Regional Supply Chain/Competitiveness Programme.

The Asean-US 'Technical Assistance and Training Facility will deliver policy studies, assessments, training, technical assistance and other support in 15 areas, while the Asean Single Window Programme will support the development and launch of a standardised data-submission and customs-clearance system that will speed the processing of goods shipped to and from Asean ports.

The Regional Supply Chain/Competitiveness Programme, meanwhile, will promote market integration for the development of Asean as a unified, highly competitive region to attract more foreign and domestic investment.

"We welcome Advance, which reflects the strong commitment of the US to vibrant Asean-US dialogue," Surin said. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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