On November 4, 2025, in Singapore, the ASEAN Secretariat, in collaboration with the ASEAN–UK Economic Integration Programme, organized the Outreach Program of the Upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and Trade Facilitation Initiatives. The program attracted the participation of representatives from ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat, international partner organizations, and ASEAN and international businesses.

The session on ASEAN’s trade facilitation initiatives focused on three main areas:

(i) Introduction of ASEAN’s trade facilitation initiatives, including: the ASEAN Single Window (ASW) – enabling cross-border paperless trade; the ASEAN Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AAMRA) – expanding trusted trader networks; the ASEAN-Wide Self-Certification (AWSC) – simplifying the certification of origin procedures; and the ASEAN Customs Transit System (ACTS) – supporting logistics integration.

(ii) Insights and analysis from international organizations on ASEAN’s trade facilitation progress, including: the UNESCAP 2025 Report on digital and sustainable trade facilitation, and the use of the OECD Trade Facilitation Indicators (TFI) to assess ASEAN’s progress in trade facilitation.

(iii) Leveraging the ASEAN Tariff Finder to access up-to-date tariff and trade information, as well as sharing operational and user experiences with the tool from both public and private sector representatives. The workshop also featured a presentation on recent U.S. tariff policy developments and their implications for ASEAN exporters.

Speakers included chairs of sub-committees and working groups responsible for ASEAN trade facilitation initiatives, representatives from international organizations, the ASEAN–UK Economic Integration Programme, and private sector representatives.

Through presentations and Q&A, speakers share the view that ASEAN’s trade facilitation initiatives serve as strategic tools for businesses to enhance intra-ASEAN trade activities and effectively leverage the upgraded ATIGA. The session concluded successfully, adding value to the overall outcomes of the Outreach Program./.

Source: Compiled by the Multilateral Trade Policy Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam