After their initial meeting in March this year the Economic Ministers of ASEAN will reconvene to push for quicker implementation of the initiatives under the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF).
For Malaysia Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry, YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, will continue to lead the delegation at the meeting to discuss on initiatives including the signing and ratification of several Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) including the signing of the ASEAN MRA on Building and Construction Materials and ratification of the ASEAN MRA on Type Approval of Automotive Products. The progress of ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement is also expected to be deliberated.
Along with these, emphasis will also be given to the progress of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Implementation of Non-Tariff Measures on Essential Goods signed in November 2020 by the Ministers. In March this year, the AEM concurred that expeditious ratification and entry-into-force of ASEAN Economic Agreements could fast track the economic recovery of the region. To this end, the Ministers had tasked the Senior Economic Officials to develop a set of guidelines in collaboration with legal experts, on appropriate and reasonable provisions that could be used to expedite the entry-into-force of future economic agreements. The Ministers are expected to be further briefed on the progress of this task at this meeting.
Another anticipated focus area at this AEM Meeting is on the digital transformation in ASEAN where the Ministers are expected to endorse the Bandar Seri Begawan Roadmap: An ASEAN Digital Transformation Agenda to Accelerate ASEAN’s Economic Recovery and Digital Economy Integration. The Ministers are also scheduled to undertake consultations with ASEAN Dialogue Partners – the United States, India, China, the European Union, Russia, Republic of Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand. Switzerland and Hong Kong China to continue with their collaborative work beyond the ASEAN region.
They will welcome the United Kingdom for the first consultation session, after the country’s conferment as ASEAN’s newest Dialogue Partner in August this year.
