Arya News - The agreement allows member states to apply the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) on a “voluntary and reciprocal” basis among countries that are ready to do so.
MANILA – Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have agreed to provisionally implement an updated regional trade agreement ahead of its formal entry into force next year, a move aimed at deepening trade within the region amid disruptions caused by the continuing Middle East crisis.
The agreement allows member states to apply the Second Protocol to Amend the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga) on a “voluntary and reciprocal” basis among countries that are ready to do so.
The declaration was adopted in Pasay City by 10 Asean member states, excluding Timor-Leste, on Saturday during the 58th Asean Economic Ministers Meeting.
Under the agreement, provisional application will begin on dates specified by individual member states in their notifications to the Asean secretary-general and will continue until the protocol formally takes effect on June 1, 2027.
For the Philippines, the upgraded Atiga could make it easier for local businesses to trade within the region by improving trade facilitation, transparency and dispute-settlement mechanisms, Malacañang said last year.
For the Philippines, the upgraded Atiga could make it easier for local businesses to trade within the region by improving trade facilitation, transparency and dispute-settlement mechanisms, Malacañang said last year.
The protocol also incorporates new and emerging trade elements intended to address changes in regional and global commerce
The second protocol was signed by Asean members in Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 1, 2025. It amends Atiga, which was originally signed in Cha-am, Thailand, in 2009, and amended by a first protocol in 2019.
The decision to allow early implementation followed calls by Asean leaders to accelerate the ratification of the agreement in response to the economic impact of the Middle East crisis.
At a special Asean Economic Council meeting on April 30, member states emphasized the need to deepen intra-Asean trade and explore early ratification of the protocol within 2026.
Asean leaders subsequently called on member states in a May 8 statement to swiftly ratify the protocol and ensure its timely entry into force amid uncertainties arising from the Middle East crisis and global geo-economic issues.
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