ASEAN economic ministers officially signed the ATISA on April 23, 2019. (Photo: VNA) The Ministry of Planning and Investment is tasked with collaborating withother ministries and agencies to implement the deal when it comes into force.
ATISA is considered a new step in ASEAN 's integration process ofservices. Upon coming into force, the pact will replace the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) thattook effect in 1995.
As a principle, ATISA establishes frameworks to implementliberalisation commitments from AFAS, reduce discriminatory barriers betweenservice providers, and lay a solid legal foundation and a more transparentmechanism for trade in services in the region.
ATISA applies a "negative list" approach, underwhich all services sectors are considered as liberalised by default. A Statewould then list only those sectors/sub-sectors in which it has taken measuresthat it considers to run counter to the obligations of the agreement (alsoknown as non-conforming measures).
ATISA also includes three sectoral annexes namely Annex onFinancial Services, Annex on Telecommunication Services, and Annex on AirTransport Ancillary Services. These annexes include sector-specific obligationsintended for deeper commitments and strengthened regulatory cooperation. Inaddition, the agreement also has Appendices I and II including the list ofnon-conforming measures of each ATISA member country./.
VNA
