SINGAPORE (Bernama): The conclusion of the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) upgrade negotiations on Sunday demonstrates the bloc’s commitment to building a more seamless and resilient economic region, said Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.
Gan, who also serves as Minister for Trade and Industry, said it also reflects Asean’s commitment to preserving a rules-based trading environment to better support business operations in the region amidst an uncertain global economic climate.
"Singapore was pleased to Chair and work with our Asean partners to successfully conclude the ATIGA Upgrade negotiations,” he said in a Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) statement on Sunday.
The negotiations were concluded at the 25th Asean Economic Community Council (AECC) Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, which Gan attended.
As the next step, Asean Member States have agreed to sign the upgraded ATIGA at the 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025.
Businesses stand to benefit from an improved regional ecosystem for the flow of goods within Asean when the upgraded ATIGA comes into force, according to MTI.
Meanwhile, Gan said that Singapore will continue to work with Asean and global partners to secure long-term growth, competitiveness, and shared prosperity, as the bloc deepens region-to-region cooperation and harnesses opportunities in digitalisation and sustainability.
"Asean’s focus on digitalisation, sustainability and expanding global cooperation ensures our region remains open, connected, and future-ready,” he added.
MTI said that at the 25th AECC Meeting, Asean Member States endorsed the Asean Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan (2026-2030), laying the foundation for the region’s next phase of economic integration under the Asean Community Vision 2045.
It said that against a backdrop of global uncertainty, Asean reaffirmed its commitment to open, rules-based trade, focusing on deeper regional economic integration, region-to-region partnerships, as well as digital transformation and sustainable growth. - Bernama
