On August 22, 2024, the International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD), in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat, the Department of Foreign Trade (Ministry of Commerce, Thailand), the Hong Kong Customs & Excise Department, and the Trade and Industry Department (TID) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, held Phase 3 of the Online Training under the project “Enhancing AHKFTA Utilization through Harmonized and Sustainable Operations in the Digital Era.” The objective of the training was to promote the utilization of the ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement (AHKFTA) by leveraging digital technologies to facilitate trade and enhance sustainability.
The online training was honored by Mr. Duangarthit Nidhi-U-tai, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce, Thailand, delivered the welcome remarks and officially opened the online training. Later, Ms. Sirikan Prasertying, Project Lead/Manager and Director, Office of International Cooperation, ITD, provided an overview of the training agenda. The training included a session led by Dr. Tengfei Wang, Economic Affairs Officer at the United Nations ESCAP, on the topic “Analysis and Pathway for Future Paperless Trade in the ASEAN-Hong Kong Region,” and a presentation by Associate Professor Dr. Sineenat Sermcheep from the ASEAN Studies Center at Chulalongkorn University on the “ASEAN – Hong Kong Trade Facilitation Strengthening Plan.” Moreover, Dr. Rajan Sudesh Ratna, Project Expert, presented on “Utilizing AHKFTA through the Electronic Exchange of Certificates of Origin and Other Documents: Recommendations and Way Forward.” Additionally, Dr. Faisal Ahmed and Dr. Jing Huang, Project Consultants, shared insights and experiences on AHKFTA-related activities. Lastly, Ms. Sirikarn Prasertying, Project Lead/Manager and Director, Office of International Cooperation, ITD delivered the closing remarks.
The representatives attended the online training from 10 ASEAN countries, plus the representatives from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as well as the project experts and project consultants, guest speakers, totaling 40 participants. This training aimed to foster investment in the ASEAN-Hong Kong region, open up access to Hong Kong’s investment opportunities in infrastructure development, and enhance participants’ knowledge of trade facilitation, particularly in digital trade. It aligned with the goals of AHKFTA, focusing on promoting free trade, reducing trade barriers such as tariffs, and expanding trade opportunities between ASEAN and Hong Kong. Moreover, the training emphasized economic cooperation in innovation and technology, supporting sustainable economic development through strengthened international trade and economic connectivity.
