The International Institute for Trade and Development (Public Organization) or ITD collaborated with Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, Department of Trade and Industry, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce, Thailand, and the ASEAN Secretariat to organize the Virtual Inception Workshop under the project “Enhancing AHKFTA Utilization through Harmonized and Sustainable Operations in the Digital Era.” The workshop, conducted via WebEX on March 25, 2024, aimed to explain the details of the project to the participants.

The event successfully concluded with representatives from 10 ASEAN member countries and Hong Kong, China. Participants included personnel from customs regulatory oversight units, agencies overseeing the issuance of certificates of origin, as well as relevant public and private sector personnel from ASEAN member countries and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.

The initial phase of the workshop included presentations, surveys, and discussions on the project’s objectives, work plan, expected outcomes, as well as the roles and responsibilities of all participating parties. The goal was to facilitate the exchange of information among project consultants, activity organizers, and member participants from ASEAN countries and Hong Kong, China.