Quarterly Report: US-ASEAN Connectivity through Trade and Investment (US-ACTI)

government to increase economic engagement and cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The project supports ASEAN in establishing the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in the areas of customs modernization, trade and investment facilitation, small and medium-sized enterprise development, clean and efficient energy, and information and communication technologies. US-ACTI works with the ASEAN Secretariat, member states, U.S. government agencies, the private sector, and other stakeholders to achieve the region's goal of establishing the AEC. The project also aims to deepen the ASEAN-U.S. economic relationship. US-ACTI supports ASEAN through five work streams: ASEAN Single Window, Trade and Investment Facilitation, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Energy, and Information and Communications Technology for Development. During the third calendar quarter of 2015, US-ACTI's regional program accomplished several major items. These included completing the messaging guidelines and message structure for the exchange of certificates of origin under the ASEAN Single Window, beginning testing of the ASEAN Single Window messaging system, conducting briefings for SMEs and ASW/NSW stakeholders, and delivering an SME workshop in Hanoi, Vietnam. US-ACTI also assisted the ASEAN Secretariat in drafting the implementation plans for the ASEAN Strategic Action Plan for SME Development 2016-2025, completed development of the ASEAN SME Academy, and began uploading content in preparation for its launch. Additionally, the project convened a conference on "Building Linkages: Expanding Options for ASEAN SME Access to Finance" in collaboration with the ASEAN Business Club and organized a workshop on using TV white space technology combined with dynamic frequency allocation to expand access to broadband networks. In Burma, the US-ACTI Economic Reform for ASEAN Integration program implemented several activities during the quarter. These included moving forward key next steps on developing the Burma Trade Portal and Trade Repository, completing the procurement and installation of hardware equipment for the office of the TBT Enquiry Point, launching a series of economic reform and growth dynamic studies, and supporting Burmese IPR experts to attend a "Roundtable for Judiciary on IPR and Enforcement" and follow-on meetings with IPR experts conducted by the USPTO in Alexandria, Virginia. The ASEAN Single Window (ASW) is a central part of ASEAN's effort to stimulate the free flow of goods in the single market and production base of the ASEAN Economic Community. It allows the electronic exchange of shipment information between traders and governments and between exporting and importing countries. The ASW consists of national electronic trade clearance systems, National Single Windows (NSWs), that will use a regional platform to exchange information on shipments. US-ACTI supports the technical and legal development of the ASW, along with public outreach. The project also facilitates trade and investment by establishing a more level playing field, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), lowering costs, and boosting consumer confidence. US-ACTI supports standards harmonization, trade transparency, services liberalization, and investment facilitation. The project also focuses on small and medium enterprise development, encouraging more inclusive economic growth. US-ACTI supports this effort with a special focus on women and young entrepreneurs, and firms in Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Vietnam, to further bridge the development gap. Additionally, US-ACTI promotes the use of sustainable energy and energy-efficient technologies, improving the environment in the region and the wellbeing of ASEAN citizens. In the area of information and communications technology for development, US-ACTI focuses on technical and financial issues related to broadband expansion in primarily rural areas, as well as information security and e-commerce. The project aims to bridge the digital divide and support more equitable development in the region.