INTRODUCTION

Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) is one of the more recent developments in ASEAN cooperation on trade in services.

At the 7^th ASEAN Summit held on 5^th November 2001 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, ASEAN Heads of States/ Governments mandated the start of negotiations on MRAs to facilitate the flow of professional services under the ASEAN Framework Agreement of Services (AFAS). The ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Services (CCS) established an Ad-hoc Expert Group on MRAs under its Business Services Sectoral Working Group in July 2003 to begin negotiations on MRAs in services. Subsequently, the CCS established the Healthcare Sectoral Working Group (HSSWG) in March 2004, which undertook negotiations on MRAs in the healthcare sector under its regular agenda. The ASEAN Joint Coordinating Committee on Dental Practioners (AJCCD) is the committee under the Healthcare Services Sectoral Working Group that discusses matters pertaining to facilitation of cooperation on Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) on Dental Practitioners.

For more information on ASEAN Integration in Services, CCS and AFAS, please click here. At present, CCS has concluded seven (7) MRAs signed by the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM):

The MRAs aim to facilitate movement of professional services and providers in the ASEAN region taking into account relevant domestic regulations and market demand conditions. This MRA is also in accordance with the efforts of the ASEAN Member States in recognizing the ASEAN Vision 2020 on Partnership in Dynamic Development geared towards the creation of a stable, prosperous and highly competitive ASEAN Economic Region.

The objectives of MRA on Dental Practitioners are to:

• facilitate mobility of dental practitioners within ASEAN; 
• exchange information and enhance cooperation in respect of mutual recognition of dental practitioners; 
• promote adoption of best practices on standards and qualifications; and 
• provide opportunities for capacity building and training of dental practitioners.