Makati City, 7 October 2024: ERIA and the ASEAN Secretariat successfully concluded the series of National Workshops on Remanufactured Goods, with sessions held in four ASEAN Member States: Cambodia (Phnom Penh, 30 September 2024); Myanmar (Nay Pyi Taw, 1 October 2024); Lao PDR (Vientiane, 3 October 2024); and the Philippines (Makati City, 7 October 2024).

The workshops were organised there to promote a deeper understanding of remanufactured goods in the context of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA). The goal was to facilitate domestic consultations and considerations on including provisions related to remanufactured goods in the upgraded ATIGA. Key experts from ERIA and the ASEAN Secretariat, along with government representatives from the four host countries, participated in the workshops. Resource persons from the private sector, including those of Hewlett-Packard, Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp., and DITTA Medical Diagnostic Imaging Trade Association, contributed to the discussions. Officials from Malaysia and Singapore also shared their experiences on implementing commitments related to remanufactured goods under the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The outcomes of these national workshops will be reported to the 12th ATIGA Upgrade Trade Negotiations Committee, scheduled to be held in the Philippines from 14 to 17 October 2024.