ASEAN, China lumagda sa free trade upgrade protocol

TININTAHAN ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at Tsina ang ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade Protocol.
Isinagawa ang paglagda sa sidelines ng 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings at sinaksihan nina Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Chinese Premier Li Qiang, at iba pang ASEAN leaders.
Sinabi ng Malakanyang na ang upgrade “reflects the shared commitment of ASEAN and China to deepen regional integration and promote sustainable and inclusive growth across the region.”
Ang ACFTA, unang ipinatupad noong 2010, ay unang trade deal na nilagdaan ng ASEAN kasama ang external partner at nagsimulang lumikha ng isa sa pinakamalaking free trade zones sa buong mundo.
Ang orihinal na saklaw ng kasunduan ay “kalakalan sa goods, rules of origin, customs procedures, trade facilitation, standards and technical regulations, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, services, investment, at economic and technical cooperation.”
Ang nilagdaang protocol ay nagdaragdag ng guidance sa ‘competition at consumer protection, digital and green economies, supply chain connectivity, at micro, small and medium enterprises participation.’
Samantala, nilagdaan nina Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz at China’s Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao ang upgraded deal.
Matapos ang signing ceremony, ang dokumento ay pormal na iniabot kay ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn.
( Daris Jose)