MANILA—Economic Ministers from the 10-member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met for the 53rd ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM) through virtual conference on 8 – 9 September 2021. The Philippines was represented by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.
The AEM tackled this year’s key deliverables that aim to strengthen the region’s economic integration and support post-COVID-19 efforts in line with the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) adopted in 2020.
“The Philippines joins the ASEAN community in highlighting the importance of taking a collective course of action to strengthen and enhance economic cooperation to ensure successful implementation of recovery efforts against COVID-19, which has affected our peoples’ health and livelihood, and economic activities in the region. As we further implement the ACRF, we call on increased focus on key deliverables that we believe will significantly support economic recovery efforts,” said Secretary Lopez.
Among the initiatives endorsed by ministers include the finalization of Non-Tariff Measures (NTM) cost-effectiveness toolkit, ASEAN investment facilitation framework, and work plan to facilitate the implementation of the ASEAN agreement on e-commerce as part of Brunei Darussalam’s Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) as ASEAN 2021 Chair.
Ministers also welcomed the completion of the Bandar Seri Begawan roadmap on ASEAN digital transformation, consolidated strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and Framework for the Circular Economy which provide the strategic framework to support ASEAN’s cross-sectoral work on reaping the benefits of digital trade and achieving sustainable economic development.
According to Secretary Lopez: “We are pleased to endorse Brunei Darussalam’s PEDs and commend our senior officials for ensuring that ASEAN is on track with the completion of the other remaining PEDs within the year notwithstanding the challenges we are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Ministers also engaged with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) to discuss COVID-19 initiatives of the private sector and their proposed areas for cooperation in 2021.
The interface emphasized the importance of the timely implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in early 2022, as well as cooperation on vaccine procurement and distribution to combat COVID-19 pandemic. Both sides agreed to sit down and discuss how to synergize relevant sectoral bodies in working towards post-pandemic recovery, including vaccination hubs, travel corridor, and digital transformation, among others.
“It is essential that travel and movement across borders is guided by a framework that will minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19. As such, we welcome the recommendation of ASEAN-BAC in concretizing the ASEAN Travel Corridor Declaration made by ASEAN Leaders last year”, the PH Trade Chief also added.
The 53rd AEM Meeting was convened ahead of 38th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit and Related Summits to be held on 26 – 28 October 2021 via videoconference.
Secretary Lopez was joined by fellow Economic Ministers from other ASEAN Member States and official representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat.
| Deliverables | Brief Description |
| Non-Tariff Measures (NTM) Cost-Effectiveness Toolkit | The NTM Cost-Effectiveness Toolkit is designed to aid governments in reviewing NTMs for their design, enforcement, and compliance. Following AEM endorsement, pilot implementation of the Toolkit will be undertaken on a voluntary basis through the ASEAN Trade Facilitation Joint Coordinating Committee (ATF-JCC) and will be implemented on selected sectors identified by participating the ASEAN Member States. |
| ASEAN investment Facilitation Framework (AIFF) | The AIFF aims to increase transparency, communication, and cooperation within the region on investment facilitation, including through the exchange of information on procedural requirements, best practices, technical assistance and capacity building initiatives relating to investment opportunities in the region. |
| Work Plan to Facilitate the Implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on E-Commerce | The Work Plan will guide AMS in advancing effective implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on E-Commerce over the next five years both at regional and national level. The Work Plan contains non-binding desired outcomes and activities focusing on cross-border, business, and consumer aspects to implement commitments in the Agreement. It also contains cooperation initiatives (e.g. information sharing, forum, and feasibility study) to move discussions in some areas of e-commerce such as customs duties and other international best practices and standards. |
| Bandar Seri Begawan Roadmap on ASEAN Digital Transformation, | The Roadmap contains 10 broad strategies categorized under Recovery, Acceleration, and Transformation which seek to articulate the political will and commitment to transform the ASEAN region into a leading digital economy. These measures are identified to harness the use of technology to jumpstart the region’s economy, simplify business processes, and enhance protection of intellectual property rights in the digital era. |
| Consolidated Strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution | The Consolidated Strategy provides the framework to pursue a “whole-of-ASEAN’ approach in reaping the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Framework seeks to allow an open, secure, transparent, and connected ASEAN; harness technologies and embrace innovation in transforming society and contributing to social progress and sustainable development. The strategy contains three (3) focus areas, namely: a) Technological Governance and Cybersecurity; b) Digital Economy; c) Digital Transformation for Society. |
| Framework for the Circular Economy | The Framework on Circular Economy by the AEC identifies key strategic priorities in support of ASEAN’s work to expand the agenda on circular economy in line with the region’s effort to achieve resiliency, resource efficiency, and sustainable growth vis-à-vis ASEAN Blueprint Post-2025 Work. It also aims to propose dialogue and cross-pillar coordination for collaboration and prioritization on the work on the circular economy, and to establish corresponding procedures. |
| ASEAN Travel Corridor Declaration | The ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework (ATCAF) is a non-legally binding document that aims to facilitate essential business and official travels between and among the ASEAN Member States, while prioritizing public health and safety, in preventing and controlling the transmission of COVID-19. The ATCAF provides a common set of pre-departure and post-arrival health and safety measures to protect the well-being and safety of people in ASEAN, taking into account the application of digital and innovative technologies in facilitating the compliance of travelers with the applicable health protocols and safety measures of the ASEAN Member States. |
♦ Date of Release: 13 September 2021