Aseanmeetexplores tariffcommitments, rulesunderAtiga

KUALA LUMPUR: The discussions on Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (Asean) internal economicrelated affairs, which were held in the Philippines at the 31th Asena Free Trade Agreement Council, explored issues related to tariff commitments and applicable rules under the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga).

In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) said efforts were ongoing to reduce and eventually end the identified non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and non-tariff measures (NTMs) within the association’s member states.

To date, out of the total 74 reported NTMs/NTBs, 54 cases had been resolved, it said.

Miti said the ministers also underlined the importance of the Asean Solutions for Investments, Services and Trade, an internet-based and business-friendly facility launched during Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean in 2015, to handle complaints by enterprises in the association. – Bernama