Free Trade Agreements/Partnerships
ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Area (AHKFTA)
The ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Area (AHKFTA) covers broad areas of market access liberalisation, trade facilitation, rules to promote confidence in trade, and cooperation aimed at facilitating trade in goods and services within ASEAN and Hong Kong.
About the ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Area (AHKFTA)
The ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Area (AHKFTA) is an FTA between ASEAN Member States (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam), and Hong Kong, China. Timor-Leste will accede to the AHKFTA upon completing its required accession procedures.
The AHKFTA covers broad areas of market access liberalisation, trade facilitation, rules to promote confidence in trade, and cooperation aimed at facilitating trade in goods and services within ASEAN and Hong Kong. It entered into force in 2019.
The ASEAN–Hong Kong, China Investment Agreement (AHKIA) complements the AHKFTA by covering the protection, promotion and facilitation of investment. It entered into force in 2019.
Economic Ministers from ASEAN Member States and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of Hong Kong, China signing the AHKFTA and AHKIA on 12 November 2017.
Key Features of the AHKFTA and AHKIA
Market access and trade facilitation
Increases market access in architectural, engineering, education and environment services. Simplifies the requirements of the Certificate of Origin for the application of preferential tariffs into Hong Kong.
Investments
Investment Protection, which provides legal safeguards for investors of an AHKFTA Party and their investments in another AHKFTA Party, through requirements to provide Fair & Equitable Treatment and protections against expropriation;
Investment Facilitation, which aims to streamline and simplify investment rules and procedures; and
Investment Promotion, which aims to market ASEAN as an investment area.