ASEAN-5: ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand FTA Upgrade including competition regulation entered into force

On 21 April 2025, the Upgrade to the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) entered into force, following its adoption on 21 August 2023. The Upgrade introduces a chapter on competition regulations, designed to promote fair and open markets among the participating countries. The chapter outlines commitments to implement and enforce competition laws and regulations, fostering cooperation and clarity in addressing anti-competitive practices. These provisions aim to ensure the application of competition principles across jurisdictions within the free trade area. The chapter currently applies to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos PDR, and Brunei Darussalam, with its entry into force for other ASEAN Member States contingent on the completion of their domestic procedures.