​The 19th Meeting of the ASEAN Trade Facilitation Joint Consultative Committee (ATF-JCC) began yesterday on Wednesday, 20 January 2021, via video conferencing at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Brunei Darussalam. The meeting was chaired by Yang Mulia Dr. Hajah May Fa’ezah binti Haji Ahmad Ariffin, Permanent Secretary (Economy) at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Brunei Darussalam as chair of the ATF-JCC for 2021. The meeting was attended by representatives of the ASEAN member states as well as the Chairpersons or representatives of the relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies.  

In her opening remarks, Dr. Hajah May Fa’ezah highlighted the successful chairmanship of ASEAN by Viet Nam in 2020 which paved the way for the region towards economic recovery. This year, Brunei will continue the ASEAN process of advancing the economic integration agenda and recovery in the region.

The two-day meeting was updated on the implementation of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF), which was adopted during the 37th ASEAN Summit. The meeting also discussed the 2021 ASEAN Trade Facilitation Work Programme and Priorities to ensure its consistency with the implementation of the ACRF and the guidelines for the implementation of ASEAN commitments on Non-Tariff Measures on Goods (NTM Guidelines). 

Additionally, the meeting also discussed priorities to be implemented for 2021, technical assistance on trade facilitation initiatives by ASEAN external partners and consultation with the relevant business councils.