October 27, 2025 | 12:20 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Member states of ASEAN have agreed to renew trade regulations for goods by presenting the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA Upgrade).
The official handover of the agreement was conducted by the Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry of Malaysia, Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, as the Chair of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) Council, to the ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso stated that the ATIGA upgrade will help ASEAN face global economic challenges.
"The official handover of the agreement manuscript marks the collective commitment of ASEAN member states to build a modern, inclusive, and sustainable trade system, to strengthen the region's economic integration," said Budi Santoso in his statement in Jakarta on Monday, October 27, 2025, as quoted by Antara.
Budi Santoso mentioned that the ATIGA Upgrade introduces several significant changes designed to address the regional trade challenges in the current global era.
These changes include promoting more environmentally conscious trade practices, strengthening the role of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), enhancing supply chain connectivity, and providing alternative mechanisms for trade dispute resolution.
"This is not just a rule update, but a step to strengthen the market and create a conducive environment for robust and competitive supply chain growth and development," said Budi Santoso.
Indonesia has already signed the agreement on Saturday, October 25, 2025, along with five other countries, namely Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Cambodia and Laos signed the agreement ad referendum. Myanmar and Vietnam are expected to follow suit in November 2025. The agreement will come into effect 18 months after all member states have signed.
The Director General of International Trade Negotiations at the Ministry of Trade, Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono, affirmed that Indonesia has successfully maintained specific regulations for rice and sugar in the new rules. "This is important to maintain the stability of prices and supply for these two main commodities," he said.
Djatmiko also mentioned that the agreement presents greater opportunities for Indonesian MSMEs to participate in the ASEAN trade network and promotes the transition to more environmentally friendly and competitive trade.
In 2024, the value of intra-ASEAN trade reached US$823.1 billion, accounting for 21.4 percent of the region's total trade.
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