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​The ASEAN SEOM – Dialogue Partners’ Consultations (SEOM – DP Consultations) were officially held on 5, 11 and 16 August 2021, via video conferencing. The Meetings were 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.

The Thirty-Fifth SEOM-Republic of Korea (ROK) Consultations, 5th August 2021

The Meeting noted the outcomes of the 18th ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement-Implementing Committee (AKFTA-IC) Meeting held virtually on 27 July 2021, especially on the next steps in the further liberalisation of Sensitive Track products under the ASEAN-Korea Trade in Goods (AKTIG) Agreement and the way forward in the possible review of the AKFTA.

The Ninth SEOM-Hong Kong, China (HKC) Consultations, 5th August 2021

The Meeting noted the Submission of Parties’ Legal Enactments for the implementation of their respective Tariff Reduction Schedules (TRS) in HS2017 and the progress of data preparation to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat following the circulation of WTO Notification on 11 February 2021.

The Thirty-Fourth SEOM-Assistant United States Trade Representative (AUSTR) Consultations, 11th August 2021

The Meeting took note on the implementation progress of the 2020-2021 ASEAN-US Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA) And Expanded Economic Engagement (E3) Initiatives Work Plan as well as discussed the finalisation of the 2021-2022 TIFA and E3 Work Plan for Ministers endorsement in September 2021. The Meeting were also briefed on the updates of activities conducted under US-ASEAN Connect and the US’ technical assistance programme on “Inclusive Growth in ASEAN through Innovation, Trade, and E-Commerce (IGNITE)”.

The Thirty-Fourth SEOM-India Consultations, 11th August 2021

The Meeting, among others, deliberated on the Scoping Paper on the Review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) and look forward to its finalisation before the AEM-India Consultations in September 2021.

The Thirteenth SEOM-Russia Consultations, 11th August 2021

The Meeting took note on the status of the implementation of the Post-2017 ASEAN-Russia Trade and Investment Cooperation Work Programme as well as discussed the revised ASEAN-Russia Trade and Investment Cooperation Roadmap and the ASEAN-Russia Trade and Investment Work Programme for 2021-2025. The Meeting was also briefed on the progress of the current Programme of Cooperation between ASEAN and Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) for 2020-2025.

The First SEOM-United Kingdom (UK) Consultations, 11th August 2021

The Meeting were briefed on the developments of the ASEAN-UK economic cooperation 2020-2021 including the report of the ASEAN-UK Supply Chains and the Accelerated COVID-19 Economic Support (ACES) programme. The Meeting also noted progress of the draft ASEAN-UK Joint Declaration on Future Economic Cooperation, for possible endorsement by the Ministers in September 2021.

The SEOM-Switzerland Dialogue, 11th August 2021

The Meeting discussed the finalisation of the Joint Declaration of Cooperation between ASEAN-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as well as discussed on the proposed activities on potential economic cooperation under ASEAN-Switzerland Practical Corporation Areas (PCA) 2022-2026.

The Thirty-Ninth SEOM-ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand (Closer Economic Relations – CER) Consultations, 16th August 2021

The Meeting were briefed on the progress of the AANZFTA Upgrade Negotiations and Implementation of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) Agreement. The Meeting also noted on the developments under the AANZFTA Economic Cooperation Support Program (AECSP).

The Second SEOM-Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan of the Twenty-Sixth AEM-METI Consultations (SEOM-METI 2/26), 16th August 2021

The Meeting noted the status of Ratification and Entry-Into-Force of the First Protocol to Amend the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) as well as the transposition of the AJCEP Tariff Reduction Schedule in HS 2017. The meeting was also briefed on the progress of the ASEAN-Japan Economic Cooperation in 2021, including the implementation of the ASEAN-Japan Economic Resilience Action Plan and the various activities organised by the AEM-METI Economic and Industrial Cooperation Committee (AMEICC) to facilitate regional economic integration.

The Thirty-Eighth SEOM Plus China-Japan-Korea Consultations, 16th August 2021

The Meeting provided further inputs to the draft ASEAN Plus Three Economic Cooperation Work Programme 2021-2022 and discussed the progress on the monitoring report of the ASEAN Plus Three Plan of Action (APT POA) on Mitigating the Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Twenty-Ninth SEOM-European Union (EU) Consultations, 16th August 2021

The Meeting discussed, among others, the draft framework for the ASEAN and EU Free Trade Agreement; updates on the ASEAN-EU Trade and Investment Work Programme 2021-2022; and Economic Cooperation between ASEAN and EU.

The Tenth SEOM-East Asia Summit (EAS) Consultations, 16th August 2021

The Meeting exchanged views on the impacts of COVID-19 to the regional and global economy and the measures taken by EAS Member Countries to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) also updated the Meeting on its latest research outcomes and the recommendations towards achieving resilient supply chains and post-pandemic recovery in East Asia.