Kuala lumpur: Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has expressed optimism that ASEAN will finalize the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) by the end of this year. He highlighted that negotiations have advanced to 69.6 percent completion, a significant milestone discussed during the Special Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC) that he chaired to address DEFA.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tengku Zafrul emphasized the importance of maintaining the ASEAN spirit to achieve a substantial agreement by year-end. He clarified that DEFA extends beyond digital trade, aiming to establish an inclusive and equitable digital economy across the region. Tengku Zafrul further noted that the framework is set to position ASEAN as a regional digital hub, which would contribute to economic growth.

On August 18, Tengku Zafrul highlighted that DEFA is groundbreaking as the first initiative of its kind within any regional framework. He pointed out that it would empower small and medium-sized enterprises by integrating them into a more inclusive ASEAN intra-trade ecosystem.