Implemented on 1
Jan 1993, AFTA is an agreement aimed at boosting trade amongst ASEAN members. Among its many
benefits, the AFTA Common Effective Preferential Tariff (AFTA CEPT) Scheme is
the main mechanism for reducing tariffs and thereby, according businesses price
competitiveness for their goods. This Scheme has since been enhanced and
superseded by the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), which entered into
force on 17 May 2010, to reflect changes in business processes.ATIGA
consolidates all commitments related to trade in goods. It focuses not only on
tariff elimination and non-tariff measures, but also on simplifying the Rules
of Origin and its implementation. Traders already benefiting from the AFTA CEPT
Scheme can continue to benefit from the ATIGA. Businesses will be able to save
time, lower the costs of doing business in ASEAN and access increased business
opportunities.ASEAN Member States are Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines,
Singapore and Thailand (which are collectively known as the ASEAN-6) and
Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam (which are collectively.
