Balanced AITIGA Shows ASEAN's Good Faith, Determination To Work With India - Tengku Zafrul
By Siti Noor Afera Abu
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- ASEAN has put forward a balanced package of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) in good faith, underscoring its determination to work with India despite various challenges and criticisms, said Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
The chair of the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) said, recognising India’s vital role in strengthening supply chains and unlocking new opportunities, the bloc reaffirmed its commitment to work with India towards a modern, business-friendly, and future-ready agreement.
“Moving forward, ASEAN maintains an optimistic outlook that, through constructive engagement and mutual trust, the upgraded AITIGA will catalyse deeper integration, increased trade flows, and shared prosperity for our region,” said Tengku Zafrul, who is also the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), at the final press conference of the 57th AEM and Related Meetings, which concluded today.
At the 22nd AEM-India Consultation this morning, India’s Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, said India reaffirmed that ASEAN remains a cornerstone of its Act East policy and Indo-Pacific vision.
In a separate note, Tengku Zafrul said that ASEAN looks forward to the launch of the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) upgrade negotiations soon.
Meanwhile, on the ASEAN external partners, he said the bloc welcomed the entry into force of the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) for nine parties, including Australia and New Zealand.
“This milestone reflects our ability to modernise agreements to ensure they remain relevant in the face of evolving business realities. We also noted the steady progress of the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA) negotiations and expect to reach a substantial conclusion by 2026,” said Tengku Zafrul.
-- BERNAMA