ON SEP 3, negotiations on the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement (Defa) were launched. First envisioned in 2021, the agreement aims to set the foundations for the region’s digital economy to double in value from US$1 trillion to an expected US$2 trillion.

The goal of completing Defa negotiations by 2025 is timely, as Asean and its member states are becoming part of an increasingly dense network of economic and trade agreements with digitally related provisions.

These include the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and several bilateral digital economy agreements.