STRATEGIC PLAN OF ACTION ON ASEAN COOPERATION IN COCOA SECTOR UNDER VIENTIANE ACTION PLAN 2005-2010

SECTOR : COCOA

SUB-SECTOR : TRADE PROMOTION OF COCOA AND PRIVATE PARTICIPATION

RESPONSIBLE WORKING GROUP : NATIONAL FOCAL POINTS WORKING GROUP FOR COCOA

STRATEGIC THRUST 2 : ENHANCEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS OF ASEAN COCOA

ACTION PROGRAMME	ACTIVITIES	ASEAN COCOA CLUB ACTIVITIES	WORK SCHEDULE	COORDINATOR
Enhancement of intra- and extra ASEAN trade and long-term competitiveness of ASEAN's cocoa products/ commodities.	Monitoring of the implementation of the CEPT Scheme for AFTA for cocoa. Intensification of cooperation in production and processing technology development and transfer and enhancement of development, harmonization and adoption of quality standards for products.	Formulation of an ASEAN Cocoa Contract and Arbitration Panel. Establishment of quality standards for ASEAN cocoa. Establishment of guidelines on regulatory measures to control quality i. Issue of Food Safety Harmonization of phytosanitary measures for cocoa beans and products. Establishment of good labour and environmental practices.	2005 - 2010	Singapore & Indonesia

STRATEGIC THRUST 3: ENHANCEMENT OF ASEAN COOPERATION AND JOINT APPROACHES IN INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL ISSUES

ACTION PROGRAMME	ACTIVITIES	ASEAN COCOA CLUB ACTIVITIES	WORK SCHEDULE	COORDINATOR
Strengthening ASEAN's cooperation and joint approaches in addressing issues and problems affecting trade in the region's cocoa products. 2. Strengthening joint positions in addressing non-trade issues at international fora to protect the interest of ASEAN Member Countries.	Identification of emerging issues and problems affecting trade in ASEAN cocoa products and formulate joint strategies / positions to enhance ASEAN's competitive posture and to sustain the expansion of ASEAN's exports to international markets. Seek closer cooperation, through relevant ASEAN bodies, with trading partners on market access for ASEAN cocoa products Negotiation with ASEAN trading partners to reduce tariffs or remove any non-tariff barriers (NTBs) imposed on ASEAN cocoa products Joint efforts to counter campaigns against ASEAN products. Joint negotiations to overcome discriminatory non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and unfair trade practices imposed by importing countries. Coordinating and strengthening joint positions on international and regional fora and organizations such as WTO, FAO, APEC, CODEX and ASEAN Dialogue Partners Pursuing common positions on international cocoa issues.	Status on the issue of market access for cocoa beans and cocoa products to the EU and USA. Addressing issues of the high import tariffs on cocoa products by China, India and other selected countries. 2.1.1 Coordinating and strengthening joint position on codex issues on cocoa and cocoa products.	2005 – 2010 2005 – 2010	Indonesia Indonesia

STRATEGIC THRUST 4: DEVELOPMENT, ACCELERATION OF TRANSFER AND ADOPTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

ACTION PROGRAMME	ACTIVITIES	ASEAN COCOA CLUB ACTIVITIES	WORK SCHEDULE	COORDINATOR
Strengthening programmes in agriculture and agro forestry research and development, technology transfer, training and extension to increase productivity of cocoa.	Development and implementation of collaborative training and extension programmes among ASEAN Member Countries with special emphasis on enhancement of the participatory approach. Establishment and maintenance of an information network for ASEAN Member Countries in cocoa technology transfer, training and extension programmes	Project on Cocoa Pod Borers Management using Biological Control Agents and Host Plant Resistance Materials. To address growers awareness and sustained adoption of effective technologies through growers direct involvement and capacity building programmes. Proposed trials on selected cocoa progeny in selected ASEAN region. Organise seminar / workshop to share advances made in upstream and downstream activities. Training and exchange of technical expertise and research materials. 1.2.1 Establishment of the ACC cocoa database.	2005 – 2010 2005 - 2010	Malaysia Malaysia

STRATEGIC THRUST 5 : ENHANCEMENT OF PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT

ACTION PROGRAMME	ACTIVITIES	ASEAN COCOA CLUB ACTIVITIES	WORK SCHEDULE	COORDINATOR
Continuous consultation with the private sector at all meetings of working groups.	Enhancement of private sector involvement in joint product promotion schemes Continuous participation of the private sector in the meetings of the joint committee on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme and in meetings of all its National Focal Points Working Group.	Identification of enterprises for strategic alliances.	2005 – 2010	All Member Countries