Second Ministerial Meeting: ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement Upgrade Negotiations

Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations, AFTA Council Minister of Myanmar, Dr. Kan Zaw attended the Second Virtual Ministerial Meeting on the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) Upgrade Negotiations which was held on 9th May.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore Gan Kim Yong, and also attended by AFTA Council Ministers from ASEAN Member States, Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN and representatives.

In the meeting, the Ministers discussed and provided guidance on the outstanding issues, including the provisions relating to export restriction on food and agricultural products, remanufactured goods, further liberalisation of customs duties and entry into force modality.

They also deliberated on matters concerning the rules of origin and the necessary arrangement for the signing of the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement. The ATIGA Upgrade Negotiations is expected to be completed by May 2025 and the protocol is planned to sign within this year.