KTEC

The Kesh-Tethys Economic Cooperation (KTEC) is an inter-governmental forum for six member economies in the Kesh-Tethys region that promotes throughout the Kesh-Tethys region. Following the Yindong Crises and success of the 1986 Hochberg Trade Summits and series of post-ministerial conferences launched in the mid-1980s and early 90s, KTEC started in 1994, in response to the growing interdependence of Kesh economies and the advent of regional trade blocs in other parts of the world; it aimed to establish new markets for agricultural products and raw materials beyond Kesh. KTEC is recognized as one of the highest-level multilateral blocs despite being a relatively young forum in the region, and exerts a significant global influence.

History
The idea of co-operation among Kesh Countries was discussed in a number of conferences and trade summits: the Kesh-Tethys Relations Conference held in Qingcheng in 1960; the Dakai Nong Conference in Raocuengh in 1979; and the Hochberg Trade Summit held in Alvakalia in 1986. Topics discussed between Alvak, Bakanese, and Kodeshi diplomats included the importing and exporting of Alvak oil for Bakanese and Kodeshi goods, which was a major topic in all six trade summits. Initially, the talks went cold, as there was still the issue of unresolved tension between the two parties. However, once both sides agreed that disputes would not play a role in the disruption of the talks, they began to warm up. The 1st Hochberg Trade Summit ended up having a large impact in Alvakalia, as the recession disappeared only months after the 6th and last summit.

The 2nd and 3rd summits in 1987 ended up having made more progress, continually breaking the thaw between the three parties. The 4th and 5th summits in 1988 took advantage of the thaw and built on top of it to completely shatter it with talks of free trade and joint projects between the three. The 6th and last summit in 1990 would hammer home the last nail in the coffin of the anti-Sinitic mindset what few people still had. In the early 1990s, when the foreign ministers of five countries: Akiteiwa, Alvakalia, Beifang, Kodeshia, Qingcheng and Tonkina agreed upon the creation of a trade bloc and to provide a platform for the people of Kesh to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust, and understanding. The aims and purposes of KTEC are to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region, to promote regional peace, collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest, to provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities, to collaborate for better utilisation of agriculture and industry to raise the living standards of the people, to promote Kesh-Tethys cultural studies and to maintain close, beneficial co-operation with existing international organisations with similar aims and purposes.

The creation of KTEC was motivated both by the common fear of conflict following the Great Kesh War and the economic shock of the Yindong Crises of 1980s that hit Alvakalia, Beifang, and Kodeshia the most severely. The region's dynamic economic growth during the 1990s strengthened the organisation, enabling KTEC to adopt a unified response to Selengeria's aggression with the ongoing border dispute between Kodeshia and Selengeria. KTEC's first summit meeting, held in Lankong, Tonkina on 10–12 December 1994, resulted in an agreement on several industrial projects and the signing of a KTEC Charter. The summit also agreed to establish a number of official bodies and adopted an official KTEC flag and emblem. KTEC achieved greater cohesion in the mid-2010s following a change in the balance of power after the Alvakalia's withdraw from North-South Concordant. KTEC has emerged as a leading voice on regional trade and security issues.

Members
The member states are Akiteiwa, Alvakalia, Beifang, Kodeshia, Qingcheng and Tonkina.

Observers
States with observer status include Chezzetcook and Poja.

Potential future members
South Kesh has expressed interest in upgrading its status from an observer to a full member of the KTEC. Selengeria has applied for observer status membership of KTEC. Modrovia has participated in meetings.

Structure
The Charter states that the Kesh-Tethys Economic Cooperation is to be composed of representatives, as necessary heads of state, heads of government and foreign ministers, from member states, each of which shall have a single vote irrespective of the number of representatives. The Kesh-Tethys Economic Cooperation has held annual meetings with representatives from all member economies. The first annual meetings were attended by ministerial-level officials.

The KTEC has a number of official bodies:
 * KTEC Assembly (KA): Composed of heads of state and heads of government of KTEC states, the Assembly is currently the supreme governing body of the organisation. It meets once a year and makes its decisions by consensus or by a two-thirds majority. It is headquartered in Lankong, Tonkina.
 * KTEC Commission (KC): The secretariat of KTEC, composed of ten commissioners and supporting staff and headquartered in Songhari, Kodeshia. It is responsible for the administration and coordination of the KTEC's activities and meetings.
 * KTEC Executive Council (KEC): Composed of ministers designated by the governments of member states. It decides on matters such as foreign trade, social security, food, agriculture and communications, is accountable to the Assembly, and prepares material for the Assembly to discuss and approve. It is headquartered in Alvastadt, Alvakalia.

Specialized Bodies
The KTEC Member States have created the following Specialized Bodies of the KTEC in the Member States which have special mandates and structures different from the Regional Centres. These bodies are managed by their respective Governing Boards composed of representatives from all the Member States, the representative of Chairperson of the KTEC and the Ministry of Foreign/External Affairs of the Host Government. The heads of these Bodies act as Member Secretary to the Governing Board which reports to the Programming Committee of the KTEC.

Regional Centres
The KTEC Secretariat is supported by following Regional Centres established in the Member States to promote regional co-operation. These Centres are managed by Governing Boards comprising representatives from all the Member States, KTEC Chairperson and the Ministry of Foreign/External Affairs of the Host Government. The Director of the Centre acts as Member Secretary to the Governing Board which reports to the Programming Committee.

List of Chairpersons
The Chairperson is appointed for a two-year term by election by a council of Ministers from member states. The Chairperson is assisted by eight deputies, one from each nation, who also reside in Lankong, Tonkina. KTEC Assembly was established in Lankong, Tonkina on 7 July 1994 by Bakanese diplomat Lang Sai Hong, who was its first Chairperson, and was inaugurated by the King of the People's Kingdom of Taungkyina. Since its creation, its member nations have contributed to a total of thirteen Chairpersons. Alvak diplomat Cathrin Huwyler Freifrau von Kammberg is the current Chairperson, having assumed charge on 1 January 2019.

List of Commission Chairpersons
The Commission Chairperson is appointed for a four-year term by election by a council of Ministers from member states. The Commission Chairperson oversees the as the executive and administrative branch of KTEC. It consists of a number of Commissioners dealing with different areas of policy. Composed of ten commissioners and supporting staff and headquartered in Songhari, Kodeshia.

List of Executive Directors
The Executive Directors is appointed for a four-year term by the Chairperson and is open to professional candidates from any of KTEC's member economies. The Executive Council is staffed by a small team of program directors, seconded from KTEC Member Economies. In addition, professional staff fulfil specialist and support functions at the Executive Council. Composed of ministers designated by the governments of member states. It decides on matters such as foreign trade, social security, food, agriculture and communications, is accountable to the Assembly, and prepares material for the Assembly to discuss and approve. It is headquartered in Alvastadt, Alvakalia.

Economy
The combined states of the Kesh-Tethys Economic Cooperation (KTEC) constitute the world's largest economy with a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of $11.73 trillion, consists of the trade, industry, agriculture, and human resources of the continent. As of 2018, approximately 1 billion people were living in six countries in Eastern Kesh. Kesh is a resource-rich continent. Recent growth has been due to growth in sales in commodities, services, and manufacturing. By measuring GDP by purchasing power parity (PPP), KTEC's economy totals $17.86 trillion, ranking it the third largest economy by measure of behind the League of Free Nations with $28.36 trillion and the North-South Concordant the largest with $26.72 trillion.

Internal market
One of the initiatives of KTEC is the creation of a common market, starting with the elimination of tariffs for products and with the goal of ensuring free flow of goods, services, skilled labour, and capital. Allowing Member nations to easily trade with each other, because the internal market, will allow for a standardised system of trading between KTEC member states. The members will be able to exchange goods and investment at a fixed price, including taxation, regardless of which countries are involved. The standardised trade that of the internal market can make possible will ensure the free flow of goods, investment, services and skilled labour as well as capital between every participating nation. Businessmen from each nation will no longer have to choose between each of the member nations because the overhead or capital needed to do business in each country will, remain the same.

However, the creation of a common market is not yet fully implemented, because there is a significant list of exclusions to the external tariff and tariff-free movement of goods and services. Each country imposes tariffs or duties on imports that enter its markets. These tariffs are the prime reason why foreign investment becomes expensive, and constitute a major block against free trade. Technical work is also needed to harmonise and modernise the customs procedures in the KTEC's major ports of entry. Unlike the some other regional, the KTEC has not come up with a single governing currency that will theoretically drive trade prices across member nations. Also each member-nation in the KTEC has different legislation that govern the taxation, as well as the exemptions included, imposed on foreign investment. KTEC members still need to agree on standardising legislation that governs foreign investment in each of the countries. This way, trade between each member can be encouraged because there will not be heavy competition that compels traders to pick which country is a better environment for their investment.

One of the goals of KTEC is to promote development and progress in the Kesh-Tethys region in general. When the organisation has successfully finalised the framework for the theoretical “internal market” between its member nations, it will definitely be a positive step forward towards that goal.

Tourism
The KTEC Visa Exemption Scheme was launched in 2001. This has allowed visa-free travel between KTEC member states, intra-KTEC travel has boomed. The leaders at the Sixth Summit, realising the importance of people-to-people contact among KTEC countries, decided that certain categories of dignitaries should be entitled to a Special Travel document. The document would exempt them from visas within the region. As directed by the Summit, the Assembly established and the Commission and Executive Council regularly kept under review the list of entitled categories. Currently, the list included 24 categories of entitled persons, which include dignitaries, judges of higher courts, parliamentarians, senior officials, entrepreneurs, journalists, and athletes. The Visa Stickers are issued by the respective Member States to the entitled categories of that particular country. The validity of the Visa Sticker is generally for one year. The implementation is reviewed regularly by the Immigration Authorities of KTEC Member States.

Following the formation of the KTEC Cultural and Tourist Centre (KCTC). Tourism has been one of the key growth sectors in KTEC and has proven resilient amid global economic challenges. The wide array of tourist attractions across the region drew million tourists to KTEC in 2018. In addition, the sector accounted large percentage of capital investment in the region.

Free trade
KTEC, the Kesh-Tethys Economic Cooperation, is gaining considerably in importance as a trade bloc and is now the third largest in the world after the League of Free Nations and the North-South Concordant. Comprising the of Akiteiwa, Alvakalia, Beifang, Kodeshia, Qingcheng and Tonkina is home to some 1 billion people.

The KTEC bloc have largely cancelled all import and export duty taxes on items traded between them, with the exception of Kodeshia, who continue to impose nominal duties on certain items. However, these too will be completely lifted as of December 31st, 2024, meaning that the entire region will be duty free from this date. KTEC has entered into a number of free trade agreements with other nations that are now radically altering the global sourcing and manufacturing landscape.

Culture
The organisation hosts cultural activities in an attempt to further integrate the region. These include sports and educational activities as well as writing awards. In addition, the KTEC region has been recognised as one of the world's most diverse region ethnically, religiously and linguistically.

Media
Member states have promoted co-operation in information to help build an KTEC identity. One of the main bodies in ASEAN co-operation in information is the KTEC Cultural and Tourist Centre (KCTC). Established in 2001, its mission is to promote effective co-operation in the fields of information, as well as culture, through its various projects and activities. It includes representatives from national institutions like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministries of Culture and Information, national radio and television networks, museums, archives and libraries, among others. Together, they meet once a year to formulate and agree on projects to fulfil their mission.

Music
Music plays a significant role in KTEC affairs, as evidenced by the new music composed for, and to be performed for the origination.

Since KTEC's founding, a number of songs have been written for the regional alliance:

"The KTEC Way", the official regional anthem of KTEC. Music by Kittikhun Sodprasert and Sampow Triudom; lyrics by Payom Valaiphatchra. "KTEC Song of Unity" or "KTEC Hymn". Music by Ryan Cayabyab. "Let Us Move Ahead", an KTEC song. Composed by Candra Darusman. "KTEC Rise", KTEC's 40th anniversary song. Music by Dick Lee; lyrics by Stefanie Sun. "KTEC Spirit", KTEC's 50th anniversary song. Composed by Chino Toledo. Lyrics by National Artist for Literature, Rio Alma. Performed by Christian Bautista; video directed by Joaquin Pedro Valdes.

Sports
The main sporting event of KTEC is the Kesh-Tethys Games, a biennial meet of athletes from the six member-states. A non-member state X and Y is now participating the KT Games.

Kesh-Tethys Games (KTG) Kesh-Tethys University Games (KTUG) Kesh-Tethys School Games (KTSG) Kesh-Tethys Para Games (KTPG) Kesh-Tethys Football Championship (KTFC) Kesh-Tethys Championship (KTC) Kesh-Tethys Safari Rally (KTSR)

Foreign affairs
KTEC has been credited by many as among the world's most influential organisations and a potential global powerhouse. The organisation plays a prominent role in regional and international diplomacy, politics, security, economy and trade. The KTEC Free Trade Area also stands as one of the largest and most important free trade areas in the world, and together with its network of dialogue partners. Being one of the world's forefront political, economic and security meetings, the KTEC Summit serves as a prominent regional (Kesh-Tethys) and international (worldwide) conference, with world leaders attending its related summits and meetings to discuss about various problems and global issues, strengthening cooperation, and making decisions.

Corruption
Corruption remains a widespread issue, an important requirement to grease business transactions and to receive public services. International Transparency on 27 January, its Kesh Tethys regional director, Martin Johnson, noted that: "if there was one common challenge to unite the Kesh-Tethys region, it would be corruption", noting that: "from campaign pledges to media coverage to civil society forums, corruption dominates the discussion. Yet despite all this talk, there's little sign of action."

In a story published on 6 May 2017, KTEC staff alleged that Commission chairperson Tong Shenzhi was guilty of corruption and cronyism, as well as running of "a "mafia-style" cartel" that operates with impunity. The allegations were contained in a memo leaked to the Songhari Gazette & Jianghua Times. Jiang Lijun, an anti-corruption advisory board member of KTEC, resigned after stating that the organisation had "multiple irregularities" and that "issues have come up over and over again" regarding corruption, stating it. KTEC quickly accepted his resignation, with Jiang saying that it was a sign that mismanagement towards corruption will "continue with business as usual". Jiang Lijun was who was said to have died of a heart attack while overseeing a corruption investigation involving actually died of two gun shots to head in his apartment. The suspicious death was later ruled a suicide.

International response
There have been many discussions and commentaries about the geopolitical nature of KTEC.

Current issues
KTEC faces many challenges, including health issues such as combating tropical diseases; political issues such as confronting undemocratic regimes and mediating in the many civil wars and lingering border disputes and conflicts; economic issues such as improving the standard of living of millions of impoverished, uneducated Kesh population; ecological issues such as dealing with recurring famines, floods, earthquakes, and lack of ecological sustainability; as well as issues of corruption and fraud.

Economic integration
Despite an KTEC goals of significant economic integration as laid out since its founding, KTEC continues to face challenges towards integration. A report in 2018 identified multiple sectors that face challenges towards integration with many unresolved issues relating to aviation, agriculture, and human resources. In addition non-tariff barriers that still exist in the region.

Territorial disputes
Several territorial disputes has affected the unity of KTEC such as the Alvak–Kodeshi border dispute between Alvakalia and Kodeshia, Alvak–Bakanese border dispute between Alvakalia and Beifang. While lingering issues from the Great Kesh War and border disputes between Kodeshia and Selengeria continue to be an area of real concern for members and development in the region.

Criticism
KTEC has been criticised for promoting free trade agreements that would impose restrictions on national and local laws, which regulate and ensure labour rights, environmental protection and safe and affordable access to medicine. According to the organisation, it is "the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Kesh-Tethys region" established to "further enhance economic growth and prosperity for the region and to strengthen the Kesh-Tethys community". The effectiveness and fairness of its role has been questioned, especially from the viewpoints of Artemian countries that cannot take part in KTEC and Tethys Island nations that cannot participate but stand to be affected by its decisions. North-South Concordant Kesh members have also raised issues over the organisation. Particularly Selengeria who has decried the organisation as an anti-Selengeria hate group and continues to politically oppose further expansion, seeing it as an attempt to surround and isolate economically Selengeria.