KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) will be upgraded and its scope is being finalised, says Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
“We have agreed to finalise the scoping so that we can announce it to the Asean leadership when the leaders meet in October,” he said.
Tengku Zafrul said this when speaking to reporters after chairing the AEM-ROK Consultation at the Asean Economic Ministers Meeting (AEM) on Wednesday (Sept 24).
The meeting also discussed economic cooperation between South Korea and the regional grouping, supply chain matters, and the semiconductor sector.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, Tengku Zafrul said the Asean-Republic of Korea (ROK) Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), launched in October last year, paves the way for closer cooperation in emerging areas such as the digital economy.
Tengku Zafrul said this has ushered in a new era in relations between the regional grouping and South Korea.
“The framework provides us with the direction to work more closely in emerging areas such as the digital economy, green transition and resilient supply chains, ensuring that our operation remains relevant, future-ready and mutually beneficial,” he said during the AEM-ROK Consultation.
He said millions of Koreans travel, study and do business across Asean.
“These connections strengthen the trust and understanding that underpin our comprehensive strategic partnership,” he said.
“We will explore new initiatives to expand trade and investment, while also exchanging views on the broader challenges shaping the global economy.”
“So today, together, Asean and the Republic of Korea are well placed to chart a path towards shared prosperity, sustainable growth and resilience,” he added.
South Korea’s Trade Minister Yeo Han-Koo said that in the past few years, trade and investment relations between Asean and South Korea have continued to deepen and widen.
“Asean is now Korea's second largest trading partner after China,” he said.
He added that this trend has continued to strengthen, with Korea and Asean having multiple layers of cooperation through the Korea-Asean Free Trade Agreement and bilateral agreements with some member countries.
Asked whether he will be meeting United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Yeo replied, "We are working on it." He said this when met by reporters after the AEM-ROK consultation.
