98% of the negotiation plan for upgrading the ATIGA Agreement has been completed.

Overview of the conference at the Ministry of Industry and Trade - Vietnam bridge.

On the morning of May 9, the second Special ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting on negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) took place online, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry of Singapore.

The conference was attended by economic ministers of ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretary General.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, along with representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice .

ASEAN economic ministers said that the completion of negotiations to upgrade the ATIGA Agreement will send positive signals to the business community about ASEAN's strong commitment to regional economic integration, through reducing trade barriers, facilitating trade and improving supply chain connectivity, as well as affirming ASEAN's support for an open, transparent and rules-based multilateral trading system.

At the conference, ASEAN economic ministers appreciated the efforts of the ATIGA Upgrade Negotiation Committee (TNC) and technical groups, and noted that after 14 official negotiation sessions, ASEAN countries have completed nearly 98% of the negotiation progress plan.

Some outstanding issues such as rules of origin, refurbished goods, transparency, further tariff liberalization, effective terms of the upgraded ATIGA Agreement, etc.

At the conference, the ministers gave necessary directions towards a flexible, practical and mutually beneficial negotiation conclusion plan, thereby reaffirming the commitment to complete negotiations and sign the upgraded ATIGA Agreement according to the plan agreed upon by the parties.

On the Vietnamese side, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien supported the early conclusion of negotiations to upgrade the ATIGA Agreement.

After sharing Vietnam's views on the proposals of the TNC Chair and expressing the willingness to be as flexible as possible on the remaining issues to promote the negotiation process, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien called on countries to continue promoting the spirit of ASEAN solidarity, together resolving the remaining differences on the basis of balancing interests, towards an upgraded ATIGA agreement that is feasible, effective and sustainable for all parties.

The conference created a favorable foundation for the next rounds of negotiations, aiming to sign the Second Protocol upgrading the ATIGA Agreement on the occasion of the 47th ASEAN Summit, scheduled to take place in November 2025 in Malaysia.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/hoan-thanh-98-ke-hoach-dam-phan-nang-cap-hiep-dinh-atiga-701693.html