"The value of trade between ASEAN and the US is currently estimated at US$200 billion, which is expected to increase through the new project."
Jakarta (Antara News) - ASEAN and the United States have launched two new five-year flagship programs worth a combined US$30 million at the ASEAN Secretariat.

Deputy Director of the USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia Carrie Thompson said, during a breakfast reception of the 36th ASEAN-US relations anniversary here on Friday, Dec 6, that the five-year flagship programs would target poverty alleviation and inclusive economic development.

The first program is called ASEAN Connectivity through Trade and Investment, and will support the development of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in the areas of customs integration, trade and investment facilitation, small and medium-sized enterprises, clean and efficient energy and information and communication technologies.

"Dr. Timothy Buehrer will be the chief of the ASEAN Connectivity through Trade and Investment program, which aims to increase economic engagement and cooperation between the US and ASEAN," Thompson noted.

Through the project, the US will work with ASEAN to facilitate policy implementation under the AEC, as well as engage other member states, US government agencies, the private sector and other stakeholders as the region moves towards its 2015 AEC goal. The project also aims to deepen the ASEAN-US economic relationship.

The value of trade between ASEAN and the US is currently estimated at US$200 billion, which is expected to increase through the new project.

The second program is the ASEAN-US Partnership for Good Governance, Equitable and Sustainable Development and Security, which will be led by James Moriarty.

Thompson said this project would support intra-ASEAN and ASEAN-US cooperation in the areas of good governance, public-private sector dialogue and cooperation and the promotion of human rights. It also aims to combat transnational crimes and non-traditional security threats.

"In addition, it will support ASEANs work in disaster management, human capital development, improved science-based policy-making and the strengthening of the ASEAN Secretariat," she noted.

Through USAID, the US also supports the ASEAN Youth Volunteers Program, the ASEAN-US Climate Resilient Cities program, the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network, the MTV-EXIT program (which raises awareness about illegal migrant smuggling) and the ASEAN Regional Knowledge Network for Forestry and Climate Change. The US also co-funds an International Organization of Migration (IOM) program that aims to increase the mobility of skilled labor within the ASEAN community.(*)

Reporter: Azi Fitriyanti
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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