WT/REG457/M/1  
 
19 April 2024  
(24-3290) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  
Hundred and Ninth Session   
 
 
ASEAN TRADE IN GOODS AGREEMENT (ATIGA)  
NOTE ON THE MEETING OF 8 APRIL 2024  
Chair: Ambassador H.E. Ms. Clare KELLY (New Zealand)  
1.1.  The 10 9th Session of the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (hereinafter "CRTA" or the 
"Committee") was convened in Airgram WTO/AIR/RTA/34/Rev.1  dated 28 March  2024. 
1.2.  Under Agenda Item 8 .1, the CRTA considered the Agreement establishing a n ASEA N Trade in 
Goods Agreement (ATIGA) , (hereinafter "the Agreement"). The Chair stated that the Factual 
Presentation had been prepared by the Secretariat on its own responsibility in full consultation with 
the Parties, in accordance with paragraph 7(b) of the  Transparency Mechanism for Regional Trade 
Agreements (document WT/L/671 ). 
1.3.  The Agreement , which  supersede d earlier ASEAN agreements  and built upon the Common 
Effective Preferential Tariff Agreement , had entered into force on 17 May 2010 . It had been notified 
to the WTO by the Parties on 31 August 2021 under Articles  XXIV:7(a) of the GATT  1994 as 
"provid ing the legal framework for ASEAN to realise free flow of goods in the region " 
(document  WT/REG457/N/1 ). A notification of change s concerning rules  of origin  followed 
(document WT/REG457/N/1/Add.1 ). In September 2021, the Parties circulated a " Summary Fact 
Sheet " on the Agreement . The text of the Agreement, together with its Annexes, was available on 
the Parties' official websites and  in the WTO RTA database.  The Factual Presentation, 
document  WT/REG457/2 , and questions and replies, documents WT/REG457/3  and RD/RTA/63 , had 
been distributed.  
1.4.  The representative of the Lao  PDR, on behalf of the Parties , extend ed sincere appreciation to 
the WTO Secretariat for the preparation of a comprehensive factual presentation on the Agreement.  
The Agreement had evolved from ASEAN 's earlier trade agreements. The Common Effective 
Preferential Tariff Scheme (CEPT), signed in 1992, had been the direct predecessor of the 
Agreement , which had entered into force in 2010.  The Agreement built on the CEPT 's objectives of 
establishing ASEAN as a single market and production base characterised by the free flow of goods, 
services, investment, skilled labour, and capital. It provided comprehensive trade measures – such 
as tariff liberalisation, rules of origin, non -tariff measure s, trade facilitation, and customs procedures 
in order to enhance economic cooperation among the Parties . The Agreement's  significant outcome 
had been the reduction of intra -ASEAN trade tariff to zero for almost all types of goods. To date, 
more than 98 % of all tariff lines had zero rates.  
1.5.  The Agreement also instituted a variety of trade facilitative measures. The ASEAN Single 
Window, for example, enable d seamless electronic exchange of trade documents, such as 
Certificates of Origin and Customs Declarations, for all ten Parties . Another example was the ASEAN 
Trade Repository, which serve d as a single information source on tariffs, regulations, and 
administrative procedures. These measures had contributed to ASEAN trade growth. Between 2010 
and 202 2, intra -ASEAN trade had increased from approximately USD 500 billion to USD 850 billion 
in 2022, making up about 22 % of its total trade. ASEAN 's share of world trade  had continuously 
increased from around 6 % in 2010 to 7.6 % in 2022, indicating the region 's trade strength and 
reflecting the outward -looking nature of ASEAN integration. The Agreement stood as a cornerstone 
of ASEAN's economic integration efforts, fostering intra -regional trade, enhancing competitiveness, 
and driving economic growth within the  region.  WT/REG457/M/1  
 
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  1.6.  In conclusion, the Parties thank ed WTO Members for their keen interest in the Agreement . 
They acknowledged  written questions from some Members  and anticipate d that they would be able 
to circulate the answers from the ASEAN Secretariat soon. They looked forward to a productive 
meeting while welcoming any further comments and questions from Members.  
1.7.  The representative of the United States  thanked the Parties for the notification.  
1.8.  The representative of the European Union  also thanked Lao PDR for the presentation o n the 
Agreement and wished the Parties success in its implementation.  
1.9.  The Chair noted the  consideration of the goods aspects of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement 
(ATIGA), had allowed the Committee to clarify a number of questions and conclude oral discussion 
of the RTA in accordance with paragraph 11 of the Transparency Mechanism. Any delegations wishing 
to ask follow -up questions were invited to forward submissions in writing to the Secretariat by 
15 April 2024 and the Parties were as ked to submit replies in writing by no later than 29 April 2024. 
In accordance with paragraph 13 of the Transparency Mechanism all written submissions, as well as 
minutes of the meeting would be circulated promptly, in all WTO official languages, and made 
available in the WTO database on RTAs.  
1.10.  The Committee took note  of the comments made.  
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