The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has extended the memorandum of understanding on the implementation of non-tariff measures (NTMs) on essential goods under the Hanoi plan of action on strengthening ASEAN economic cooperation and supply chain connectivity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic until November 30, 2024.
Jakarta (VNA) – The Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has extended the memorandum of understanding onthe implementation of non-tariff measures (NTMs) on essential goods under the Hanoiplan of action on strengthening ASEAN economic cooperation and supply chainconnectivity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic until November 30, 2024.
The MoU, signed by ASEAN Economic Ministers in 2020,commits ASEAN Member States (AMS) to refrain from imposing restrictive trademeasures on essential goods and supplies except for public health emergencies.
AMS also aim to unilaterally rollback all non-tariffmeasures on essential goods that are not in conformity with the WTO Agreement.In cases where complete rollback of NTMs on essential goods are not feasible,AMS will discuss an appropriate modality to address the NTMs’ trade distortingeffects, if any.
The MoU includes a list of 152 essential goods,consisting mostly of medical goods such as test kits and equipment. The list isbased on a joint list by the World Trade Organisation and World Health Organisation.
The extension of the document is important formaintaining a flexible supply chain to support the private sector, strengthencooperation and facilitate the flow of essential goods, while ensuring the compliancewith ASEAN regulations on relevant safety and quality standards during andafter the COVID-19 pandemic./.
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Illustrative image (Photo: AFP) 
