Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on Saturday, launched the ASEAN Tariff Finder to support traders to maximize benefits from the concluded Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in the region.Commissioned by the ASEAN member states with support from Australia for ASEAN Futures Initiative and Economic and Connectivity (ECON), the ASEAN Tariff Finder was launched on the sidelines of the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting ASEAN Business Advisory Council Consultation in Semarang, Central Java. The ASEAN Tariff Finder is an online platform designed to support traders to maximize benefits from concluded or upgraded FTAs, including the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), ASEAN+1 FTAs, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and bilateral FTAs concluded by the ASEAN member states. The ASEAN Tariff Finder is now ready to support users keen to explore the markets of over 160 countries, according to a statement released by the ASEAN Secretariat on Saturday. During the launch, Chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) and Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Arsjad Rasjidremarked that ASEAN Tariff Finder is “a leap forward” in facilitating seamless business activity across the region. ccording to Rasjid, the platform is a valuable resource for businesses since it revolutionizes the way the traders access and navigate tariffs, non-tariff measures, rules of origin, and trade agreements within ASEAN. “It also underscores ASEAN’s commitment to empowering MSMEs, bolstering economic cooperation, and embracing digitalization,” he stated. Minister of Trade of Indonesia Zulkifli Hasan affirmed that traders will stand to benefit from the search engine provided on the platform. They only need to enter the country of origin, the destination, and the product of interest. “They immediately have the commodity code and insights into tariffs, rules of origin, and customs and trade regulations for destination countries,” Hasan stated. Secretary-General of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn remarked that the platform will be helpful to help businesses, especially micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), to get accurate information on trade regulations. Moreover, the tool is free for all traders located within the region. The intra-ASEAN trade recorded US$857 billion in 2022. The ASEAN Tariff Finder is expected to further boost growth in trade for the ASEAN member states and enhance regional supply chain resilience, according to the statement.

Source: Antara News Agency