Brunei - Countries meet to discuss intra-ASEAN trade at Rizqun

THE percentage increase in trade amongst ASEAN member countries is still small compared to those of the European Union (EU) and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) despite a significant process in tariff reduction amongst the member countries, an ASEAN Secretariat official said yesterday.

This is mainly attributed to the Non-Tariff Barriers to trade (NTBs) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBTs) which need to be addressed urgently, said Haridass Nagalingam, Assistant Director at the Trade Facilitation Division, Market Integration Directorate, ASEAN Secretariat.

Speaking at the opening of the "38th ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality (ACCSQ) and Related Meetings", he said that whilst most of the tariff related measures amongst the ASEAN members states had been significantly reduced, making it competitive to trade in the 10-nation bloc region, the emphasis now is on reducing NTBs.

"To enhance and improve intra-ASEAN trade, the substantial work and important progress made by the ACCSQ needs to be enhanced, and issues that possibly could impede trade facilitation within the ASEAN region should be addressed robustly to expand and enhance the current growth in intra-ASEAN trade," Nagalingam said.

He also reminded that the important work done by the ACCSQ should also take into account the progress made in other areas of trade facilitation, which includes the progress made in customs integration, the ASEAN Single Window and the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, as the progress made by the ACCSQ will play an integral and complementary part in the overall Trade Facilitation agenda of ASEAN.

"While considering the progress made in the other areas of trade facilitation, please also bear in mind that we have also to start considering our engagement with ASEAN's dialogue partners, thus it will be appropriate for ACCSQ and its related working groups to consider this development in the decisions and progress it will make," the assistant director underscored.

The meeting has been held since March 12 and will conclude on March 17.

It is attended by representatives from all the ASEAN member states, dialogue partners Japan and the US, as well as Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany.

A series of meetings and workshops preceded the meeting, which was officially opened yesterday by the Permanent Secretary (Technical and Professional at the Ministry of Development, Hj Suhaimi Hj Gafar.

According to a statement from the Development Ministry, as a measure to facilitate free movement of goods in ASEAN, the ACCSQ also looks into the mutual recognition of test reports and certificates amongst members states, which not only simplifies procedures but also reduces transaction costs.

The Brunei Times

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