Last Saturday (19/8), ASEAN launched the New ASEAN Tariff Finder platform. The platform is expected to assist entrepreneurs in developing business plans and cross-border trade strategies. In addition, the platform can also help entrepreneurs, especially MSMEs in the region, get the latest trade information and access existing free trade agreements in ASEAN member countries. This will reduce the risks faced by businesses due to limited information on trade and customs issues.
The launch of the portal took place during the 55th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting and Other Related Meetings in Semarang, Central Java. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Indonesian Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, ASEAN Secretary General H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Arsjad Rasjid, and Australian Ambassador to ASEAN Mariam Diakita, as well as economic ministers from ASEAN member states.
Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, Zulkifli Hasan, said the New ASEAN Tariff Finder platform has a user-friendly interface in line with its motto of "Trade Information at Your Fingertips".
In addition, the New ASEAN Tariff Finder also supports efforts to realize the vision of a strong, flexible and inclusive ASEAN that will positively impact the people of the region and the world. Through this platform, businesses in Southeast Asia will find it easier to find the latest and most accurate information on tariffs through an integrated portal.
He also emphasized that the launch of this portal is in line with the determination of ASEAN member states to realize the vision of building a strong, flexible and inclusive region that benefits both its people and the world at large.
The platform, which is the result of cooperation between ASEAN and Australia under the ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program (AADCP) Phase II, offers more comprehensive features than the previous version. It provides up-to-date information on trade agreements and full details on tariff commitments, rules of origin, non-tariff barriers, import and export procedures, and border issues.
With trade value between countries within ASEAN reaching USD 857 billion by 2022, the launch of ASEAN Tariff Finder is expected to encourage greater trade enhancement among ASEAN member states, as well as strengthen resilience in regional supply chains.
