Business representatives and officials from the European Union (EU) and the 10 ASEAN Member States on Monday met in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to talk about the opportunities and challenges of free trade agreements (FTA) and ways through which the ASEAN could take advantage of FTA.
The event, organized by the “Enhancing ASEAN FTA Negotiation Capacity Program” of the EU-ASEAN, centers on the EU and ASEAN trade policies, and on emerging and new trade issues.
A stakeholders dialogue will be held during the four-day event, allowing participants to share their experience and knowledge related to major issues like the FTA’s political economy, the challenges faced when implementing trade agreement and post-trade agreement adjustment.
ASEAN SEOM Chairman and Director General of Cambodia’s Commerce Ministry, Pich Rithi, has expressed his great appreciation to the EU for offering technical assistance on the Enhancing ASEAN FTA Negotiating Capacity Program to private sector and government representatives of the member states of the ASEAN and ASEAN Secretariat officials.
In a statement released by the EU delegation in Siem Reap, Pich Rithi said, “With a series of 10 workshops all over ASEAN, starting here today in Siem Reap, the EU-ASEAN cooperation will provide a forum for ASEAN trade practitioners and officials to reflect on trade issues, which really matter.”
“We expect a meaningful contribution to enhance mutual understanding on trade matters and the negotiation processes, because trade is such an important matter.”
Free trade was not only important for economic growth and development in support of poverty reduction, consumer welfare and competitiveness; it brought together ideas and people. he said.
During the event, attendees will also take part in negotiation simulation exercises focusing on trade negotiating techniques, tools and methodologies.
The event will also include awareness-raising seminars on various international trade, globalisation, investment and related socio-economic and political economy issues, which will be opened to the civil society, public and private sectors.
The EU-funded “Enhancing ASEAN FTA Negotiating Capacity Program” is a 2.4 million euros technical cooperation program for the benefit of the member states of the ASEAN.
