Introduction

The official ASEAN machinery is supplemented by a network of regional non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that help promote the objectives of ASEAN co-operation. These networks are the mechanisms for national private sector organizations to link with their ASEAN counterparts to assist their governments in pursuing ASEAN goals and objectives. The network of regional NGOs forms a cluster of transnational linkages that increase the centrality of ASEAN and provides the infrastructure for better communications and enhanced cooperation in various fields.

In a broad sense, NGOs are organizations formed by the business sector and by professional and other non-profit associations. In the ASEAN context, NGOs include (a) the ASEAN-CCI, serving as the official link between ASEAN governments and the private sector engaged in commerce and industry; and (b) other private organizations that help promote ASEAN objectives in the social, cultural, economic, and scientific fields. ASEAN provides for a system of official affiliation of NGOs in the region to bring their activities closer to the workings of ASEAN structures and to promote ASEAN objectives (see Box 4.1).

ASEAN Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASEAN-CCI)

The ASEAN-CCI, formed in April 1972, is the largest and most significant private sector organization in the region. Being the official channel between the private sector and ASEAN governments, its founding represents member countries’ recognition that regional economic co-operation can only succeed through the active participation of the private sector. On the other hand, it also reflects the positive response of the business community to the political initiatives of ASEAN leaders in promoting regional co-operation.

The initial ASEAN-CCI organization was composed of five national chambers, namely, that of the original five member countries (that is, the Kamar Dagang Dan Industri Indonesia [KADIN], the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia [NCCIM], the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry [PCCI], the Singapore Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry [SFCCI], and the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking [JSCCIB] of Thailand). The National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Negara Brunei Darussalam (NCCI-NBD) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Vietnam (CCIV) became the sixth and seventh national chambers when Brunei Darussalam and Vietnam joined ASEAN.