Expectations for export volumes are just as optimistic, with the global demand for semiconductors and other electronic goods expected to rise. Indonesia's exports are seen to expand, in volume terms, by more than 20 percent after contracting by 9.4 last year. Thailand's exports are projected to keep growing at over four percent and Vietnam's at over six percent. Philippine exports are expected to continue their relatively rapid growth, at 15 percent this year, somewhat slower than last year's 17 percent. Malaysia's exports could grow slightly, after going down last year.
Some analysts expect Singapore's export volume to contract some, but less than last year.
Myanmar's exports are seen to expand by 7.5 percent and those of Laos by a hefty 19 percent, albeit from fairly low bases. They have been reported extensively in the media. It is the beginning of the peer review that the Finance Ministers have decided to undertake. The date for the completion of AFTA has been advanced to 2002 for the six original signatories of the AFTA agreement. Thus, by the beginning of 2000, or less than nine months from now, AFTA will be substantially, if not formally, achieved.