On 31 December 2015, the 10 members of the ASEAN reached a major milestone through the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). While ASEAN is highly applauded for lowering tariff rates to 0-5%, it is also criticized for non-tariff barriers such as cumbersome customs procedures, national standards, local content requirements, export/import taxes, lack of transparency, etc. The governments of ASEAN member countries (AMC) are not oblivious to these issues, and have been working hard to find the best solution for the problems, until the 2025 Blueprint categorically mentions that ASEAN aims towards convergence in trade facilitation regimes among ASEAN Member States. This perspective looks at the ASEAN Single Window (ASW) via the establishment of National Single Windows (NSW) in 10 member economies. (https://www.adb.org)

ASEAN was one of the first organizations to conceptualize a regional Single Window project. As early as Dec 2005, it concluded the agreement to establish and implement the ASEAN Single Window, and followed this in April 2006 with the establishment of a protocol for that Single Window. The ASEAN Single Window (ASW) is the first regional initiative that seeks to enhance regional connectivity. It is defined as: “The secured environment where National Single Windows (NSWs) integrate and operate. The ASW constitutes a regional facility to enable a seamless, standardized and harmonized routing and communication of trade and customs-related information and data for customs clearance and release from and to NSWs. Trade and related customs data and information will stay within, and belong to respective Member States. Despite challenges in terms of coordination across government bodies, manpower and financial resources to implement single window in national economies, ASEAN countries are working earnestly to launch ASW in 2018 (https://www.unece.org) (LS).