ASEAN Economic Ministers Signed the ASEAN Economic Agreements

ASEAN Economic Ministers Signed the ASEAN Economic Agreements

Cha-am, Hua Hin: On 26 February 2009 at 18.30 hrs., economic ministers of all 10 ASEAN member countries signed the ASEAN economic agreements, which consist of the following:

1.ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement

2.Protocol to Implement the Seventh Package of Commitments under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services

3.ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement : ACIA

4.Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Medical Practitioners

5.Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Dental Practitioners

6.Framework Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Accountancy Services

The above-mentioned Agreements will form an important basis in moving ASEAN towards the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015 to facilitate free movement of goods, service, investment and skilled labour.

In addition, the Minister of Trade of Thailand and the Minister of Trade of Indonesia also signed Memorandum of Understanding between Thailand and Indonesia on sugar to ensure the import of sugar from Indonesia to Thailand since Indonesia has had some difficulties not to be able to reduce its tariffs as scheduled.