Academician: AEC, opportunities for Papuan

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAYAPURA -- The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) has the potential to provide opportunities to Papuan people to increase trade and investment in regional countries, an academician of Cenderawasih University in Jayapura, Papua province, said.

"The AEC is a chance for Papuans to sell their products and services and invest in regional countries," Dr. Hans Z. Kaiwai, the academician, stated here on Monday.

According to Kaiwai, the AEC will establish a single open market for Indonesian commodities, particularly products from Papua.

The countries will also implement free ASEAN manpower opportunities, which will allow Papuan workers to seek employment outside Papua and the Indonesian region.

Kaiwai added that language could be a challenge for Papuan people in the AEC.

"Papuans should learn languages, particularly English, they would require to know to enter the ASEAN free labor market," he stressed.

The free ASEAN market will serve to increase competition in the service sector and investments, and will improve the quality of labor, as well. People from ASEAN member countries will enter Papua, and vice versa.

Furthermore, the AEC will develop certain characteristics, such as a single market and production base, a highly competitive economic region with equitable economic development, and one that is fully integrated into the global economy.

Member states of the ASEAN plan to implement the AEC at the end of 2015.