The EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) held a series of high-level engagements in Vientiane, Laos, with ASEAN Customs Authorities and regional stakeholders.
On 10 November, the Council organised the second run of its Anti-Illicit Trade Workshop, focusing on the growing illicit tobacco trade across ASEAN — an issue that costs governments billions in lost revenue and fuels organised crime. The workshop featured expert contributions from Dr Rohan Gunaratna (RSIS), Rodney Van Dooren (Philip Morris International), Valeria Demirci (ApiraSol GmbH), and Superintendent James Ryan (Australian Border Force). Discussions centred on strengthening regional coordination, improving policy alignment, and leveraging technology to combat illicit trade more effectively.
EU-ABC Anti-Illicit Trade Workshop: Strengthening ASEAN’s Response to Illicit Tobacco Trade
On 12 November, EU-ABC Executive Director Chris Humphrey addressed officials at the 43rd ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Customs Meeting on behalf of the Joint Business Councils. Discussions focused on key trade facilitation priorities, including the upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), greater use of the ASEAN Customs Transit System, advancing paperless trade, and supporting e-commerce shipment facilitation.
Executive Director Chris Humphrey presenting at the 43rd ASEAN Customs Coordinating Committee Meeting
These engagements underscore the EU-ABC’s commitment to advancing customs cooperation, enhancing public-private collaboration, and promoting a more secure and transparent trading environment across ASEAN.
