SG inks mutual agreement to enhance cargo clearance efficiency with ASEAN member states

Six out of ten signatories are now preparing their respective programmes.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member States (AMS) have signed the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) of their respective Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programmes (AAMRA).

Member states aim to implement the regional AEO MRA by 2025.

AAMRA will enhance trade and promote economic growth in ASEAN by reducing documentary checks and physical cargo inspections, allowing for smoother cargo clearance and flow of goods within the region.

Of the 10 AMS, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand have jointly assessed and validated each other’s national AEO Programmes, ensuring their alignment with the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE Framework).

The six AMS will commence a six-month pilot of the programme in December 2023 and will likely implement it on 3Q24.

Meanwhile, the remaining four AMS –- Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam –- are in the process of getting more companies to be part of their AEO programmes. The four AMS will commence a second AAMRA pilot in 2024.

Singapore’s total trade volume with AMS averaged $292.5b for the past three years (2020 – 2022). The AAMRA was mooted by Singapore during the 32nd ASEAN Summit held in Singapore in 2018.

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