<div id="readability-page-1"><div><p>[CEBU] South-east Asian nations are looking to bring a key regional trade agreement into force within the year, amid supply chain disruptions and rising energy costs due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.</p><p>This was one of the issues discussed at the 27th Asean Economic Community Council (AECC) meeting held on the island of Cebu in the Philippines on Thursday (May 7), ahead of the 48th Asean Summit.</p><p>At the meeting, the region’s economic ministers – including Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong – reaffirmed commitments to uphold open trade and resilient supply chains in response to the situation in the Middle East.</p><p>They also took forward recommendations from a special AECC meeting convened on Apr 30 to address the rapidly evolving developments in the region.</p><p>The move to expedite the entry-into-force of the Upgraded Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga) was one of the recommendations. It needs to undergo a ratification process before it can take effect.</p><h2>Upgraded pact</h2><p>Atiga first came into force in 2010 to provide a legal framework for the free flow of goods in the region, and has since eliminated 99 per cent of tariff lines among member states. </p><div><div><h3>Navigate Asia in<br/>a new global order</h3><p>Get the insights delivered to your inbox.</p></div></div><p>It was upgraded in October 2025 to address challenges beyond tariffs, including regulatory complexity, non-tariff measures, supply chain disruptions and digital transformation. </p><p>Key new features include enhanced transparency of non-tariff measures, full legal recognition of electronic certificates of origin, and a new framework for essential goods during humanitarian crises.</p><p>Once ratified, Atiga would pave the way for Asean member states to implement cooperation and crisis-related commitments amid the Middle East situation.</p><div><div><div><p>SEE ALSO</p><div><div><div><div><p><img height="2637" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/businesstimes/f00312d726ec0879a75860bcb4fd0bef8f6675f5a93772f284d1b1a9d4396e47/query-ZHByPTEmZj13ZWJwJnc9MjQw?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="3954" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/businesstimes/f00312d726ec0879a75860bcb4fd0bef8f6675f5a93772f284d1b1a9d4396e47/query-ZHByPTEmZj13ZWJwJnc9MjQw"/></p></div><p></p><h3><span>PM Wong to head to Cebu for Asean Summit; 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ASEA

<p>South-east Asian nations are aiming to implement a key regional trade agreement this year, addressing supply chain disruptions and rising energy costs due to the Middle East conflict. This was discussed at the 27th Asean Economic Community Council meeting in Cebu, where economic ministers reaffirmed commitments to open trade. The Upgraded Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga), which enhances trade facilitation and addresses non-tariff measures, is set for ratification. Asean leaders are expected to issue a statement on collective responses to the crisis, focusing on energy security and market stability.</p>

Asean leaders seek to bring regional trade pact into force this year amid Middle East pressures