Thanet Wattanakul

Abstract: Trade in services liberalization in ASEAN is the one important goal under the ASEAN Vision2020 to be deeper integration as single market. The ASEAN Framework of Agreements on Services (AFAS) is an instrument for implementation. The service sectors have become more crucial for enhance the economic development and growth in developing countries including ASEAN. Many service sectors are high potential to be benefited for liberalization. Examples of these sectors are banking and finance, insurance, telecommunication,  transportation and healthcare. This paper reviews the GATS and regional trade agreements (RTAs). It also discusses the current progress and challenges of trade in services liberalization for ASEAN. Moreover, the plausible policy implications and recommendations to further accelerate the mutual benefits from trade in services liberalization are proposed particularly in health care service sector. An efficient regulatory cooperation is the most essential in order to achieve the mutual benefits that can be adopt for other service sectors. Nevertheless, the high level of economic development gap is an obstacle for pursuing deeper regional integration for the newer ASEAN members especially Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.