Fostering Competition in ASEAN

On 9 September 2021, the OECD launched two reports at the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting: the OECD Competition Assessment Reviews: Logistics Sector in ASEAN and the OECD Competitive Neutrality Reviews: Small-package Delivery Services in ASEAN.

These two ASEAN-wide reports build on their respective 10 country reports
(one for each ASEAN member state).

The OECD Competition Assessment Reviews: Logistics Sector in ASEAN report analysed the logistics sector (in particular, freight transport, freight forwarding, warehousing, small-package delivery service, and value-added services) and identified 30 non-binding recommendations across ASEAN member states where changes could be made to mitigate harm to competition from regulatory barriers and to foster competition.
The OECD Competitive Neutrality Reviews: Small-package Delivery Services in ASEAN report analysed issues of competitive neutrality in the small-package delivery services sector and offered 44 non-binding policy recommendations where changes could be made to foster competition in the sector and contribute to e-commerce growth by levelling the playing field between public and private companies.

How can Competition Help ASEAN Countries Recover from COVID-19?

These reports are a contribution to a major initiative – funded by the UK Government – and undertaken by the OECD in close co-operation with the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN competition authorities and other government stakeholders. The project's objectives include improving logistics and transportation, boosting trade, and promoting economic growth and prosperity in ASEAN.

As part of this project, the OECD has reviewed more than 700 laws and regulations in ASEAN member states and put together a wide range of non-binding recommendations to make those markets work better. As the region (and the rest of the world) grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, this initiative in an area that has many knock-on effects across the economy can help to effectively contribute to a faster recovery and develop a more integrated ASEAN market.