This Agreement shall create a liberal, facilitative, transparent and competitive investment environment in ASEAN by adhering to the following principles:

(a) provide for investment liberalisation, protection, investment promotion and facilitation;

(b) progressive liberalisation of investment with a view towards achieving a free and open investment environment in the region;

(c) benefit investors and their investments based in ASEAN;

(d) maintain and accord preferential treatment among Member States;

(e) no back-tracking of commitments made under the AIA Agreement and the ASEAN IGA;

(f) grant special and differential treatment and other flexibilities to Member States depending on their level of development and sectoral sensitivities;

(g) reciprocal treatment in the enjoyment of concessions among Member States, where appropriate; and

(h) accommodate expansion of scope of this Agreement to cover other sectors in the future.