Project: Communications Package to Socialise the Benefits of the AANZFTA Upgrade
Commenced: July 2023
Regional or National: Regional - benefits all ASEAN Member States (AMS)
Partner: Economic Cooperation Sub-Committee (EC-SC)
Status: Completed
Objectives
This project aimed to raise awareness of the Upgraded AANZFTA Agreement, focusing on key improvements in trade in goods, services, investment, and new provisions in digital trade and sustainable development. It aimed to provide clear, actionable information to help businesses engage with and benefit from the Agreement, acknowledging that Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) can be complex and may inadvertently create barriers for businesses, especially MSMEs and those led by women or marginalised groups.
By doing so, the project aimed to strengthen regulatory consistency and equip governments with actionable policy options to implement the agreement effectively.
Outcomes
A key outcome was the development of the MSME Handbook, which includes an Outcomes Brief, guides on Trade in Goods, Services, and Investment, and a practical guide to using the AANZFTA. Developed with input from ASEAN officials, MSMEs, and other stakeholders, the Handbook responds to real-world challenges these businesses face.
The Handbook features practical examples and case studies from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. It includes easy-to-use tools that help simplify trade concepts and make them more accessible to MSMEs.
With a strong focus on inclusivity and accessibility, the Handbook equips MSMEs, including those led by women and marginalised groups, to take full advantage of the AANZFTA Upgrade. This supports increased private-sector engagement and broader economic opportunity.
Regional Business Roundtable in Lao PDR, 21 September 2024
National Business Roundtable in Vietnam, June 2024
National Business Roundtable Cambodia, April 2025
Find out more about AANZFTA
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