June 4, 2013-USAID has awarded Nathan Associates the contract for the ASEAN Connectivity through Trade and Investment (ACTI) activity. This five-year, $18 million project will be based in Jakarta, Indonesia. The purpose is to accelerate implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint by providing technical assistance, training, material, and other resources.

The Nathan Associates project team will assist regional and national groups in meeting goals for harmonizing customs, trading, and investment regimes by 2015. Assistance will be channeled into four “workstreams”:

• ASEAN single window for logistics and uninterrupted supply chains. Strengthened regional integration through the ASW, improved terms of trade and capacity to operate single windows, and pro-trade reforms and standards harmonization.
• Helping ASEAN nurture small and medium enterprises. Develop SMEs, particularly in less-developed member states.
• ASEAN modernized power. Strengthen capacity of member states to facilitate access to clean energy and energy efficient technologies.
• ICT for development and enhancement of ASEAN. Strengthen capacity to follow the ICT Master Plan.

The project will also support U.S. economic cooperation with ASEAN and the ASEAN-U.S. Partnership Program.

Read more about our work for ASEAN.