Group Members :

Goh ShiYun [06]

Angela Tan [18]

Teo ZhiPing [24]

Wu JiangHui [27]

ASEAN

Examples of Singapore's participation in ASEAN

Firstly, there is the AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Area). ASEAN members signed an agreement on the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) Scheme to eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers in the region, and also to promote economic growth and mutual understanding between ASEAN members after being updated on 31 January 2003

Examples of Singapore's participation in ASEANSecondly, there is ARF (ASEAN Regional Forum) which objectives are to foster constructive dialogue and consultation on political and security issues. The current participants in the ARF are as follows: China, Japan, North Korea, India, New Zealand, Australia, USA and Canada.

Examples of Singapore's participation in ASEAN

Last but not least, there is the ASEAN NewsMaker Project. It trains students and teachers from across 10 ASEAN Member States to produce broadcast news-style video clips about life in their country using the NewsMaker software. The project also marks the first scheme to foster cross-cultural understanding among ASEAN youths through digital media.

Benefit to SingaporeAFTA [ASEAN Free Trade Area]

The abolition of taxes resulted in product price reductions and it promotes higher market competition. AFTA help Singapore products gain access to a regional market that incorporates

many benefits. Singapore consumers gain from cheaper prices of imported goods from ASEAN countries. Processing factories

also enjoy cheaper imported raw materials, reducing their production costs. Singapore would experience both import and export increase in trade volume. With its unique position as the center of regional trade in ASEAN, Singapore has emerged as

the top gainer from AFTA.

Benefits to SingaporeARF [ASEAN Regional Forum]

ARF encouraged political and security dialogue, cooperation among countries involved and provided an avenue for countries

in the region to discuss security issue and resolve disagreements peacefully. Aside from being useful as a venue

for multilateral and bilateral dialogue, consultations and the establishment of effective principles for dialogue and

cooperation, featuring decision-making by agreement, non-intervention, incremental progress and moving at a pace

comfortable to all, it promoted transparency with the exchange of information involving defense policy and the publication of

defense white papers.

Why is Regional Relations more beneficial than the other

forms of diplomacyBilateral Relations can only provide limited benefits due to the fact that it is

between 2 countries, and it mainly aided Singapore in its social development due to the cultural exchange. International Relations involve too many

countries, thus the major powers might neglect the smaller countries and not everyone can benefit from it. However, in ASEAN, there is only 10 members, thus it is more possible to take care of each member’s benefits and it ensures that no one will be left out. Singapore is also able to forge better relations with her neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia which is especially

important due to geographical reasons. This strengthens the member countries' position when negotiating with other great powers and regional

groupings. Without good regional relations, Singapore would not have much of the benefits it possesses now. Thus, maintaining regional relations is the most

beneficial form of diplomacy.