Asean service providers and exporters gain from two new agreements

Singapore

ASEAN service providers will gain greater market access, and exporters will enjoy more convenience under two agreements signed at the 50th Asean Economic Ministers Meeting on Wednesday evening.

One of these was the protocol to implement the 10th and final package of commitments for the Asean Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS), with member states increasing the depth of their commitments and opening up new service sectors.

AFAS was first signed in 1995, with restrictions on trade in services being progressively reduced or eliminated with successive packages of commitments. With the latest package, it will be easier for service providers in Asean to participate in previously-closed sectors such as logistics, air transport, maritime transport, computer services, telecommunicat…