The morning session of the Outreach Workshop on the Upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and Trade Facilitation Initiatives provided an overview update on the upgraded ATIGA, and discussed emerging issues and strengthened provisions in traditional areas. The business community also shared practical experience, affirming that the upgraded ATIGA could promote sustainable business models and enhance regional supply chain efficiency. The roundtable discussion concluded that the new commitments under the upgraded ATIGA could provide real momentum for intra-regional trade and deliver concrete benefits for businesses.

On the morning of 4 November 2025, the morning session of the Outreach Workshop on the Upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and Trade Facilitation Initiatives was held with the participation of representatives from ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat, international partner organisations, and the ASEAN and international business community.

In the opening remarks, Ms Alpana Roy, Chair of the ATIGA Upgrade Trade Negotiating Committee (TNC), and Ms Rhiannon Harries, Deputy Trade Commissioner for Asia-Pacific (Southeast Asia), UK Department for Business and Trade, underlined the importance of upgrading ATIGA in strengthening intra-ASEAN trade, advancing trade facilitation, and supporting ASEAN businesses amid a highly dynamic global economic environment.

The morning session focused on three main areas:

(i) An overview of the upgraded ATIGA, including value-added elements and expectations for businesses in the region;

(ii) Emerging issues under the ATIGA, including remanufactured goods, trade in humanitarian crisis situations, trade and environment, and supply chain connectivity - which ASEAN expects to address in a more systematic manner under the implementation of the upgraded ATIGA;

(iii) Enhanced provisions in traditional areas - including National Treatment and Market Access, Rules of Origin, Trade Remedies, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and Economic and Technical Cooperation.

The workshop also heard private sector sharing on practical experience with remanufactured goods, demonstrating that businesses see the upgraded ATIGA as a policy platform that could support more sustainable business models and enhance supply chain efficiency.

The morning session concluded with a roundtable discussion moderated by Mr Claudio Dordi, Head of the Open Trade Pillar, ASEAN-UK Economic Integration Programme (EIP), with the participation of the Chair of the ATIGA Upgrade TNC, representatives from Malaysia and the Philippines - the ASEAN Chairs for 2025 and 2026 - the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN-BAC, and EU-ABC, focusing on how the new commitments can strengthen intra-ASEAN trade and deliver concrete value to businesses.

The workshop will continue in the afternoon of 4 November 2025 with discussions focusing on ASEAN’s trade facilitation initiatives.

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