The ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) is to work towards free flow of trade in services within the region. It aims to substantially eliminate restrictions to trade in services among ASEAN countries in order to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of ASEAN services suppliers.
The ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) is available here.
AFAS Main Text
The Governments of Brunei Darussalam, the Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Member States of the Association of South East Asian Nations (hereinafter referred to as “ASEAN”);
RECOGNISING the Singapore Declaration of 1992 which provides that ASEAN shall move towards a higher plane of economic cooperation to secure regional peace and prosperity;
RECALLING that the Heads of Government, at the Fourth Summit held in Singapore on 27-28 January 1992 declared that an ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) shall be established in the region;
NOTING that the Framework Agreement on Enhancing ASEAN Economic Cooperation
signed in Singapore on 28 January 1992 provides that ASEAN Member States shall explore further measures on border and non-border areas of cooperation to supplement and complement the liberalisation of trade;
RECOGNISING that intra-ASEAN economic cooperation will secure a liberal trading
framework for trade in services which would strengthen and enhance trade in services among ASEAN Member States;
DESIRING to mobilise the private sector in the realisation of economic development of
ASEAN Member States in order to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of their
service industry sector;
REITERATING their commitments to the rules and principles of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (hereinafter referred to as “GATS”) and noting that Article V of GATS permits the liberalising of trade in services between or among the parties to an economic integration agreement;
AFFIRMING that ASEAN Member States shall extend to one another preference in trade in services;
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
- Protocol to Amend the AFAS (2003)
- Schedule of Commitments
