Langkawi (Antara Bali) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla said implementation of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2016 would benefit Indonesia.
"First we have huge market, abundant natural resources, and we als0o have competitive workers," Kalla said after the closing of the 26th ASEAN Summit Conference in Kualalumpur and Langkawi, Malaysia, on Monday night.
However, there are also negative effects of the AEC on Indonesian economy, he acknowledged. Indonesia has to strength its weak sectors in facing AEC and improve efficiency, he said.
"AEC would create a tighter competition . Here lies the need for greater efficiency. We have to talk about efficiency," he said.
ASEAN member countries would not move in harmony in the implementation of AEC as because of the difference in efficiency, he acknowledged.
"AEC has taken 10 years for preparations and this would make the market more competitive," Kalla, who came to replace President Joko Widodo in taking part in the ASEAN summit meeting.
He said it would not be easy to deal with the problem caused by the big gap in economic growth among the member countries. "Implementation of AEC would create higher competitiveness or advantages," he said.
The member countries discussed the regional economic growth, which slowed as a result of the global crisis.
The ASEAN leaders also proposed the setting up of a joint team to provide assistance for the earthquake devastated Nepal.
The heads of state or government also discuss cooperation in facing radicalism and terrorism.
The 26th ASEAN Summit was closed by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in the Langkawi Convention Centre.
Najib Razak said in his speech that the summit meeting had agreed to strengthen ASEAN cooperation and preparation for the implementation of AEC in 2016.
After the summit meeting Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines will meet on East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand will meet on Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) on Tuesday. (WDY)
