ASEAN Heads for Visa-free Zone: Report
CAIRO, January 26 (IslamOnline.net) – Nationals of the ten-member ASEAN block will be able to travel among member states without the need to get a visa by the end of this year, said the Malaysian Prime Minister, adding the grouping can be marketed as a combined mega destination for budget-conscious travellers.
All ASEAN member countries had agreed on visa exemptions for intra-ASEAN travel by their nationals to promote travel within the region, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said, according to The Star Wednesday, 26 January.
“This will be fully effective by the end of the year,” said Abdullah whose speech was read out by Malaysian Tourism Minister Dr Leo Michael Toyad at the opening of the ASEAN Tourism Forum late Tuesday, January 25.
“Of course, we cannot downplay the security requirements of the respective member states,” he said.
“However, in the spirit of ASEAN, I believe we can work together to create means by which we can address these concerns and at the same time ensure visa-free intra-regional travel”.
The function was also attended by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and ministers and representatives from the 10 ASEAN countries and also from China, Japan and South Korea.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established August 8, 1967, in the Thai capital Bangkok by the five original member countries; namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
Brunei Darussalam joined in 1984, Vietnam in 1995, Laos and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999.
The ASEAN region has a population of about 500 million, a total area of 4.5 million square kilometers, a combined gross domestic product of US$737 billion, and a total trade of US$ 720 billion, according the block’s Web site.
Mega Destination
Within the same context, Badawi added ASEAN could be marketed as a combined mega destination for the budget conscious or those coming from afar.
“Not only should it be a worthwhile experience in terms of sights and sounds, it should also present more value for the time and money invested in one trip,” he added.
“Individually, we may embark on our own country's promotions. But ASEAN as a single tourism entity should also not be overlooked or underestimated.
“To prepare for this, tourism planners need to develop better products and enhance the integration of tourism services. The benefits of this extra effort could well outweigh the costs,” Abdullah said.
Abdullah went on to say ASEAN projected an image of cultural richness, diversity and uniqueness found nowhere else on this planet, and added that enhancing this holistic image would benefit all member countries as more visitors flock to the region.
He further added ASEAN could gain much by being more connected and by making travel within the region easier, not just for ASEAN nationals but also for travellers worldwide.
The prime minister said that in this era of information and communication technology, it should be obvious that connectivity and integration should be the defining traits of an ASEAN community.
“Prosper Thy Neighbour”
ASEAN countries should be proponents of the “prosper thy neighbour” principle instead of operating individually most of the time, Badawi said.
“If we help our neighbours to prosper, we too will prosper along with them. At the same time, a prosperous and interconnected ASEAN is a strong contributing factor to the security of South-East Asia and the rest of the world,” he added.
Malaysia offers the image of a very successful Muslim country, 60% of the population are Muslims, heading towards the status of developed nation with huge buildings, beautiful cities and a fast track economy that is doing well despite recent shattering events.
Those present at the opening ceremony were also told to observe a minute of silence in remembrance of those who had lost their lives, were injured and those who were still unaccounted for following the Dec 26 tsunami disaster.