This will include efforts to address trade barriers, promote trade and investment, and expand fields of cooperation, according to a statement released by the trade bloc to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19, issued last week.

Asean leaders as well as Japan, China and Korea agreed to launch a coordinated response to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic to their respective countries and the region following a meeting on June 4. U Thaung Tun, Minister of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations  attended the meeting on behalf of Myanmar. 

During the meeting, he said Myanmar has been implementing the action plans set out under its COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan to relieve the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. “We are also working to ensure the flow of essential goods such as food, commodities, medicines and medical supplies in the country over the short-term. Meanwhile, investment promotion efforts and strengthening cooperation with development partners will provide the foundations necessary for a more rapid and inclusive social and economic recovery,” he said.  

Myanmar will also cooperate to ease import and export processes within the region. Efforts include facilitating the process of importing medical-related products for COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment and waiving import licensing and  FDA (Food and Drug Administration) requirements, as long as the products are FDA-approved in the other country. Also, it included easing all export application, licenses, and permits and removing restrictions. 

The Asean ministers reaffirmed the importance of keeping regional markets open for trade and investment and acknowledged the importance of strengthening regional supply chains to maintain the flow of goods and services. They also agreed to refrain from taking unnecessary measures that may affect the smooth flow of essential goods such as food, commodities, medicines and medical supplies in the region, and will announce any trade-restrictive measures.

Asean will continue to address non-tariff barriers, especially those that impede the smooth flow of goods and services in supply chains.

Source: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/myanmar-commits-facilitating-trade-within-asean.html