ASEAN-5: Launch of negotiations to upgrade AANZFTA including data localisation prohibition

On 29 August 2020, the Economic Ministers from the ASEAN Member States, Australia and New Zealand met virtually and resolved to urgently move forward with the upgrade negotiations of the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA). Considering that the first round of negotiations for the upgrade of the AANZFTA could not take place as scheduled in June 2020 because of the pandemic, the Ministers encouraged lead negotiators to expedite the negotiations and to meet as soon as possible.