We are pleased to invite you and your members to participate in our flagship Roundtable Discussions on Trade Facilitation (RDonTF), which will be held virtually (via Zoom) from 6th to 9th December 2022. The detailed program/agenda is annexed to this Invitation, for your reference.

This year’s RDonTF series will present and delve on ten specific trade facilitation issues within the context of the ATIGA vis-a-vis key developments in trade negotiations and trade agreements at the multilateral, regional and bilateral levels as reflected in the policy briefs, as follows:

Day 1: 6 December (Tue),
14:00 – 15:30H

Session 1: ‘New Generation’ PTAs and ATIGA’s Structural Reform
Session 2: ‘Digitalisation and E-commerce Facilitation’
Session 3: ‘Trade and Sustainable Development’

Day 2: 7 December (Wed),
14:00 – 15:30H

Session 4: Regulatory Transparency and Private Sector Engagement                          Session 5: Streamlining of Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) and Removal of  Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs)
Session 6: Dispute Avoidance and Dispute Settlement

Day 3: 8 December (Thu),
14:00 – 15:15H

Session 7: ‘ASEAN Centrality’ and Rules of Origin                                                          Session 8: ASEAN Supply Chain Connectivity

Day 4: 9 December (Fri),
14:00 – 15:15H

Session 9: Agricultural Trade and SPS Facilitation
Session 10: Non-Agricultural Trade and TBT Facilitation

Moreover, this initiative aims to gather inputs and insights from the ASEAN business community on the impact of these new developments on businesses and their trade activities in the ASEAN region. The role of the private sector in the ASEAN economic integration is important as a key stakeholder in the process, particularly in identifying impediments towards deeper regional economic integration and in designing regional strategies and initiatives. The AEC Blueprint 2025 recognises that greater involvement and more structured participation of the private sector will be beneficial to the achievement of its goals.

‘Key takeaways’ from the RDonTF sessions will therefore be included in the ARISE Plus recommendations to ASEAN, for consideration and inclusion in ongoing discussions, future work programmes and strategic action plans. This will also help ASEAN policy-makers and negotiators in identifying priority issues/topics of importance for the ATIGA Upgrade.

To confirm your participation, kindly register for the relevant sessions that you wish to attend by 2nd December 2022 using the following registration link: https://forms.gle/YfyJ4yikzQDiJtvJ8.

Please note that you are required to register for each of the sessions separately. Participation is completely free-of-charge.

The dedicated Zoom links and the relevant materials for the convening of these sessions will be provided to you upon registration. The sessions will be conducted/facilitated by the ARISE Plus team and experts.

If you have any queries or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Novia Firda, ARISE Plus Senior Project Officer, at [email protected] and/or Ms. Maes Alconcel, ARISE Plus Senior Expert, at [email protected]