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ASEAN remains to be a compelling destination for digital start-ups and investors.

ASEAN is consistently striving to achieve its “Global ASEAN” objective by continuing to proactively embark on initiatives that would deepen and broaden its economic community building. This effort is being realised, among others, through pursuing stronger trade linkages with ASEAN external partners, such as by upgrading free trade agreements to remain relevant and exploring new trade agreements. One such example is the ASEAN – Hong Kong, China (HKC) Free Trade Agreement (AHKF

Agriculture is one of the key industries in ASEAN, with 8 out of 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS) dependent on the agricultural industry. ASEAN is a major producer and exporter of palm oil, crude rubber, rice, sugar, seafood, and fruits. In 2021, the region produced 150,43 million tons of rice, 42,08 million tons of maise, 14,29 million tons of sugar, and 0,74 million tons of soybean. However, the agriculture sector has been perceived as one of the drivers of land degradation and

ASEAN is continuously gearing toward further economic development while remaining committed to the Paris Agreement. All ASEAN Member States (AMS) have a strong commitment to reduce carbon and GHG emissions and accelerate the energy transition by setting more aggressive targets. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) estimated that USD 200 billions of green investment is needed in ASEAN per year until 2030 to finance green initiatives in the region. However, investments rem

Cross-border retail payment is a payment involving payors and payees located in different jurisdictions which could have specialised processes and different currencies. A seamless cross-border digital payments connectivity can lower cost of services, boost financial inclusion, and encourage the use of local currencies in the settlement of cross-border transaction; hence, it is becoming increasingly relevant in ASEAN to facilitate trade and to unlock the potential of crossbord

The rapid economic development in ASEAN has contributed to high energy consumption and waste generation. The 7th ASEAN Energy Outlook recorded that ASEAN's total final energy consumption (TFEC) had grown by 1,6 times in 2019 from 2005 levels. Meanwhile, United Nations Environment Programme reported that the waste volume in ASEAN countries reached about 150 million tonnes in 2016 and is estimated to be more than double this number by 2030. Along with the pressing planetary cri

The disrupted supply chain and the surge of Covid-19 pandemic have led to shortages of medical supplies and equipment. This highlighted the needs to strengthen supply-chain of pharmaceutical products to ensure a timely access of pharmaceutical products to ASEAN people. Policy reforms are necessary to address trade barriers in the trade of pharmaceutical products such as the registration procedures that could take few months to years and the different interpretations of the pr

ASEAN has continuously evinced its commitment to keep its market open. In 2009, amidst the worst global economic crisis since the Great Depression, ASEAN signed the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) to further its commitment to an open and integrated regional economy. The ATIGA consolidates and streamlines all the provisions in the Common Effective Preferential Tariff Scheme for the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (CEPT-AFTA). It promotes trade in the region by reducing barri

Transforming the transportation sector to be more sustainable becomes indispensable as ASEAN is gearing toward further economic development while remaining committed to the Paris Agreement. In ASEAN, the demand for transport is estimated to increase by 60% from 2013 to 2040 due to the region’s rapid development. Nonetheless, this growth becomes a double-edged sword as over 90% of the ASEAN transport sector remains dependent on fossil fuel. The growth of transportation is expe

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has entered into force on 1 January 2022. The Agreement encompasses 30% of the global GDP and 30% of the world population and aims to establish a modern, comprehensive, high-quality, and mutually beneficial economic partnership that will facilitate the expansion of regional trade and investment. One of the biggest breakthroughs made under RCEP is the Rules of Origin (ROO), as it will further solidify the region under the