USABC Calls for Public-Private Collaboration for ASEAN Post-2025 Digital and Sustainable Economic Agenda
(Vientiane, Lao PDR) – The US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), a longstanding partner of ASEAN and an accredited business entity under the ASEAN Charter, led a high-level business delegation to the 56th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting, marking the 25th consecutive year of participation.
As part of the annual AEM consultation with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the delegation engaged in productive dialogue co-chaired by Lao PDR’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, H.E. Malaythong Kommasith, and Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Sarah Ellerman. In addition to this consultation, USABC held bilateral meetings with senior officials from Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Lao PDR, the ASEAN Secretariat, U.S. Embassy in Laos, and the USTR.
Under Lao PDR’s 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship and its Priority Economic Deliverables, the mission emphasized the theme Towards ASEAN Post-2025: A Collaborative Digital and Sustainable Economic Agenda. USABC delegates called on the 56th AEM to capitalize on ASEAN’s leadership role by concluding a comprehensive, high-standard, and commercially meaningful Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA). The delegation also submitted critical recommendations to advance circular and sustainable supply chains in emerging sectors and outlined regional economic policy initiatives aimed at strengthening commercial opportunities and enhancing ASEAN’s global competitiveness to attract foreign direct investment (FDI).
Representing leading U.S. technology and financial services companies, the delegation emphasized that ASEAN’s progress in finalizing a high-quality, rules-based, and ambitious DEFA is pivotal to driving sustainable and inclusive growth in the region’s digital economy. They stressed the importance of enabling cross-border data flows, eliminating barriers to data localization, and aligning with global standards to foster innovation and interoperability. The goal is to enhance efficiency, reduce fraud, and unlock greater potential for cross-border trade and investment, thereby strengthening ASEAN’s connectivity to global markets. The delegation also highlighted the need to support WTO reforms and maintain the moratorium on e-commerce taxation to further enhance the region’s digital economy competitiveness. They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting DEFA’s swift progress and successful completion.
“The ASEAN Economic Community has achieved remarkable progress in fostering regional integration, unlocking vast opportunities for businesses to expand, access new markets, and tap into the region’s dynamic growth potential. As we transition into ASEAN’s Post-2025 agenda, USABC and its member companies believe that the region stands on the brink of transformative change, driven by global trends and technological innovations,” said Ambassador Brian McFeeters (ret.), USABC’s Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director, and head of the delegation. He added, “A successful and comprehensive DEFA agreement will have a significant impact on future growth of ASEAN’s digital economy.”
The Business Mission was co-led by Mr. Nattachai (Kevin) Powcharoen, Director of Government Engagement at Visa Thailand, who serves as Co-Chair of USABC’s ASEAN Committee.
As part of the Business Mission’s deliverables, the Council submitted a Recommendations Paper to the ASEAN Economic Ministers titled Towards ASEAN Post-2025: A Collaborative Digital and Sustainable Economic Agenda. This paper outlines the U.S. industry’s positions on key issues, offering critical insights as ASEAN shapes its post-2025 agenda, particularly in the areas of digital economy and sustainable growth.
USABC member companies that participated in this year’s mission include Amazon, Apple, Citi, Visa, and Manulife Financial.
