The Philippines’ trade secretary Alfredo Pascual urged fellow ministers in Southeast Asia at the 37th Meeting of ASEAN Free Trade Area Council to upgrade the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA).

The upgrade should address the long-standing issues in availing of preferential market access within the region, he stressed.

The Philippines urged other nations in the Southeast Asian region at the 37th Meeting of ASEAN Free Trade Area Council to upgrade the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA). The upgrade should address the long-standing issues in availing of preferential market access within the region, he stressed. The meeting was held recently in Semarang, Indonesia.

The Philippine government remains committed to digitalise trade by implementing the National Single Window or TradeNet, a platform for automated and integrated licensing, permitting, clearance and certification system of trade regulatory agencies relative to the import and export trade of regulated goods, he told the meeting.

The country is on the path to fully issue and accept electronic certificate of origin within this year, a department of trade and industry (DTI) statement quoted the minister as saying.

The meeting was held recently in Semarang, Indonesia.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)