The Asean Pioneer Project Scheme (APPS) aims to nurture the growth of vibrant companies in the region and offers to businesses an avenue for fast-track approval and facilitation across Asean.
This will cover any business project involving two or more Asean countries. To ensure the success of APPS projects, Asean Governments will appoint specific officials to work together with the Asean Secretariat in expediting project approvals and facilitating speedy implementation. Initially, APPS will focus on two sectors, i.e. Agriculture and Tourism.
The Asean Pioneer Project Scheme is an Asean Business Advisory Council initiative.
The Asean Business Advisory Council was launched in April 2003 in Jakarta following the mandate of the Asean leaders for greater public-private sector partnership in making the region economically integrated and competitive.
Embracing Asean leaders’ vision in transforming the region into an Asean Economic Community, i.e. a single market and a single production base, the council will work in partnership with the region's governments to develop a vibrant and growing base of Asean companies, large and small.
The best of these companies will grow into multinational corporations (MNCs). This network of companies will help integrate Asean economies.
Specifically, Asean Governments need to:
1. Nurture the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by establishing a conducive business environment in the region;
2. Promote and support their transformation into Asean MNCs capable of competing at regional and global levels; and
3. Create an Asean common market and promote Asean products, Asean brands and the concept of “Made in Asean”.
So it was that the council proposed the APPS at the 9th Asean Leaders Summit in Bali, Indonesia (October 4-8, 2003).
More information on the APPS and Asean BAC can be obtained from the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Malaysia:
National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Malaysia (NCCIM)
37 Jalan Kia Peng
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603-241 9600
Fax: +603-241 3775, 241 8041
Email: zaid@nccim.org.my; nccim@po.jaring.my
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