Upgraded Asean trade deal brought forward to end-2026, says Singapore DPM

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said the upgraded agreement will simplify and clarify trade rules for businesses operating across Asean. — Picture by Firdaus Latif.

First Published: Wednesday, 23 Sep 2026 11:17 AM MYT

SINGAPORE, Sept 23 — The upgraded Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga) is expected to take effect by end-2026, ahead of the original mid-2027, said Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.

Gan, who is also Trade and Industry Minister, said the decision was made at the 58th Asean Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting and Related Meetings in Manila, the Philippines, where member countries agreed to ratify it earlier.

“We are now planning to bring it forward to this year. We are working hard with our fellow Asean members to race to the end and to cross the line before the end of the year.

“We are optimistic that we will be able to do so,” he told the media in Singapore yesterday.

Gan said the agreement will significantly facilitate intra-Asean trade by simplifying and clarifying rules for businesses to operate within Asean.

“At the same time, it will also make Asean a very important and very attractive destination for investment, because investors know that in Asean they will be able to trade within Asean freely,” he said.

Singapore’s Trade and Industry Ministry said in a statement that the decision demonstrates Asean’s resolve to keep markets open and respond collectively to external shocks and supply chain disruptions.

Early implementation will help businesses reap its benefits sooner through smoother trade flows, improved customs procedures and reduced friction when trading across the region, it said.

The ministry said that, among others, AEM also laid the groundwork to review the Asean Trade in Services Agreement and moved towards implementing the recently concluded Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement.

“Ministers advanced preparatory work towards a potential Asean Green Economy Framework Agreement to support the development of an interoperable Asean carbon market,” it said. — Bernama