Rivalry delays selection of host for Asia FTA research body
Kyodo | March 9, 2007
Rivalry delays selection of host for Asia FTA research body
(Kyodo) — The selection of a country to host a body to conduct research on trade liberalization around the Asia-Pacific region has been put on hold due to the rivalry among countries wishing to be home to its headquarters, diplomatic sources said Friday.
The research body planned by 16 nations participating in East Asia summit meetings is supposed to open in April with the goal of concluding a free trade agreement covering all of the member countries, an idea advocated by Japan.
The 16 nations are Japan, China, South Korea, 10 countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Australia, New Zealand and India.
The sources said the decision to select the host country has been delayed because ASEAN members, which are a vocal presence in the 16-nation forum, are vying hard to have the center set up in their countries. Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia in particular are making vigorous pitches, they said.
The competition to host the research institution is a sign of how interested the countries concerned are about the proposed regional trade framework and is good news for Japan, analysts said.
In particular, ASEAN members’ strong interest in hosting the research body for a 16-nation FTA would strengthen the hand of Japan in its diplomatic contest with China and South Korea, which are pushing for a FTA involving only Japan, China, South Korea and the ASEAN, they say.
When the last East Asia summit was held in January in the Philippines, it was decided to establish an "Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia." The body is to have some 50 staff.
Japan plans to contribute 10 billion yen over the next 10 years to the center, which the country hopes will serve as a secretariat for the proposed free trade zone after it is established.
