Receiving from the ASEAN Economic Association

Ananth Baliga Post newspaper reporter had an interview with Mr. Thomas Hugger, CEO and Chairman of the Foundation in investing in Asian Frontier Capital to discuss how the integration will affect many countries in the region? And whether things will get on trade and investment?

From January 1, we will have the ASEAN Economic Community. Will we see any change in the region in the short term?

We think there will be a short-term change is to travel between the 10 member countries with 3, China, Japan and South Korea should not take Visa. This will increase tourism in the region and provide benefits, especially Cambodia. The second change will be a [trade] Imports of goods.

In early 2016, countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam will reduce tariffs of about 8 000, or about 90 per cent of trade .

How do you think will get the most benefit from this new community?

Due to the free trade agreement between ASEAN and China, countries that have low labor costs, especially Indonesia and Vietnam will see the flow of foreign direct investment or more companies shift their business from China [ useful].

Talk about what you think the country is ready for the AEC? Or whether this incentive policy, which has already attracted yet?

We believe that in the future need to provide greater incentives because other ASEAN member countries will have encourage the same lot less. However, many countries, such as Thailand and Vietnam, which offer incentives also provide better infrastructure as well.

Whether the government should have more options for attracting investment, or whether the investment would be considered as Protection?

With the start of the AEC should have less protection. We believe that [with protection measures easing the country's agricultural sector could be lost.

Does the lack of quality infrastructure is one of the reasons why many investors can not come to the country or not?

Of course! Especially since electricity is costly compared with its neighboring countries.

Hope, one of the big hope here is whether there will be investment inflows in the country? Do you think this is a real expectation or not?

Many countries, such as Indonesia and Vietnam are expected to receive the most benefit. Cambodia needs to invest more on infrastructure to attract foreign direct investment in the industrial sector.

Are there any particular sectors that you think will see an increase in trade and investment from other ASEAN members or not?

Cambodia's tourism and agriculture sectors will see more investments from other ASEAN members. But many other sectors such as banking and insurance can also benefit as well. China, Japan and South Korea could increase their investment in the textile and footwear.

Export opportunities, which may look as other countries will be eliminated import barriers?

Cambodia will be able to export some agricultural products to other countries. When the future could become a destination for manufacturing products Imports pending that could lead back to a number of ASEAN countries. LA