As an integral part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (“ASEAN“) Economic Community (AEC), the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (“ATIGA“) is the key regional trade agreement that facilitates economic integration within the ASEAN region, which Singapore is a party to. The ATIGA entered into force on 17 May 2010 for ASEAN Member States (“AMS“), and provides a comprehensive framework to achieve the free flow of goods within ASEAN by eliminating tariffs on most goods traded between AMS, as well as by reducing non-tariff barriers.
To keep the ATIGA relevant and more responsive to, and stay ahead of, the changes ASEAN launched negotiations between AMS in March 2022 to upgrade the ATIGA. Substantive negotiations between AMS are targeted to be completed by the end of 2024. From 17 July 2023 to 16 August 2023, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) is conducting a public consultation to seek feedback on how the ATIGA could be improved and other beneficial provisions that could be incorporated into the ATIGA.
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