Achieving Skill Mobility in the ASEAN Economic Community: Challenges Opportunities and Policy Implications

This report examines the challenges the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states face under the ASEAN Economic Community in achieving the goal of greater mobility for the highly skilled including hurdles in recognizing professional qualifications opening up access to certain jobs and a limited willingness by professionals to move due to perceived cultural language and socioeconomic differences. The cost of these barriers is staggering and could reduce the region’s competitiveness. This report offers a range of policy recommendations taking into account best practices locally and across the region.