Conference on rules of origin in AKFTA: Unifying origin criteria for most product lines

Within the framework of implementing the ASEAN-Korea Trade in Goods Agreement under the Framework Agreement on comprehensive economic cooperation between the Governments of ASEAN countries and Korea, the ASEAN-Korea Economic Cooperation Subcommittee implements the Conference. Proposal on Origin of Goods to convert the List of Product Rules (PSR) according to the Harmonized System (HS) of the World Customs Organization (WCO). The conference took place in person and online from March 25 to 27, 2024 in Ha Long - Vietnam with the participation of more than 80 delegates from Korea, 10 ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretariat to review Control and discuss nearly 7,000 tariff lines, progress and mechanisms for implementing rules of origin under the new HS. The Vietnamese delegation includes representatives from the Import-Export Department - Ministry of Industry and Trade and the General Department of Customs - Ministry of Finance.

Conference on converting product-specific rules within the framework of the ASEAN-Korea Trade in Goods Agreement

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Anh Son - Director of the Import-Export Department emphasized that the target of nearly 7,000 tariff lines of the PSR list in AKFTA needs to be converted. This transformation requires high focus and great consensus from ASEAN countries and Korea.

After three days of serious, scientific and responsible work, the delegates completed the proposed program. Delegates focused on in-depth discussions and contributed many quality and constructive comments towards the results of the report of the Subcommittee on Taxation and Rules of Origin within the framework of the AKFTA Agreement. The ASEAN Secretariat has made efforts to receive and fully explain the opinions of other countries.

Ms. Trinh Thi Thu Hien - Chief Coordinator of the Project on converting the List of rules of the ASEAN - Korea Agreement

Information about synthesizing the content of the exchange, Ms. Trinh Thi Thu Hien - Head of the ASEAN-Korea PSR Conversion Project said that the countries have reviewed Chapters 01 to 97 of the PSR list and reached an agreement. Origin criteria for most product lines.

According to Ms. Sasikanya Ponien, co-chair of the Subcommittee on Taxes and Rules of Origin in AKFTA, the meeting results are an important premise for the Subcommittee on Taxes and Rules of Origin to submit to the Agreement Implementation Committee. AKFTA regulations approve the List of specific rules for products according to the new HS. “On that basis, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will develop and issue a Circular regulating the implementation of AKFTA rules of origin to update the PSR list; Thereby creating favorable conditions for taking advantage of AKFTA's special preferential tax rates" - shared Ms. Tran Minh Trang - Head of the Vietnamese delegation.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Son, Director of the Import-Export Department had bilateral contact with Ms. Siriporn Ulao - Head of the Thai delegation

On the sidelines of the Conference, host country Vietnam had bilateral meetings with the delegations of Thailand and South Korea. Ms. Siriporn Ulao - Head of the Thai delegation expressed her interest in implementing the seal and electronic signature model within the framework of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the ASEAN-India Agreement (AIFTA). . Mr. Min-ho Son - Head of the Korean delegation proposed that the two sides strengthen coordination in implementing rules of origin, especially verifying the origin of goods.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Binh - member of the Vietnamese delegation emphasized the importance of converting PSR and called on organizations issuing Certificates of Origin (C/O) as well as related units. There needs to be proper attention to this issue.

The delegates to the conference

Announcing the meeting's closing, Mr. Min-ho Son - Head of the Korean delegation, on behalf of Korean partners and ASEAN member countries, highly appreciated and thanked the host country Vietnam for their enthusiasm in organizing work. this conference as well as promoting consensus on PSR within the framework of the AKFTA Agreement.