Thailand to push for conclusive ASEAN digital economy pact by 2025

Thailand will accelerate negotiations to finalize the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) by the end of 2025, in a bid to promote ASEAN as a digital hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan affirmed this week that Thailand, as chair of the ASEAN-DEFA Committee, will expedite regional talks to conclude the agreement in the coming months.

Pichai revealed that Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who also serves as Minister for Trade and Industry, has expressed support for the target and pledged to join Thailand's push.

He said he had discussed the matter with the Singaporean deputy prime minister on the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Economic Community Council meeting, recently hosted by Kuala Lumpur.

The commerce minister added that Thailand is prepared to soon host a special meeting of ASEAN Economic Ministers, during which a regional consensus on key steps toward concluding DEFA by the end of the year will be sought.

According to the minister, he has proposed Thailand’s readiness to host the Special ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting to Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul Aziz, who currently chairs the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Council.

Pichai also noted that Singapore has expressed interest in expanding its investment in Thailand, particularly in the areas of clean energy, electronics, financial services, and digital businesses. He also proposed that the island state import more varieties of quality Thai rice.