Trade Competition Commissioner and Chairman of the 33rd ASEAN Experts Group on Competition (AEGC) Meeting announced (28 October) that Thailand is hosting the 33rd AEGC Meeting and related sessions from October 28 to November 1 at Le Méridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort.
The event gathers leaders from competition authorities across ASEAN, advancing regional cooperation in competition policy and law under the ASEAN Competition Action Plan (ACAP). Delegates from 10 ASEAN nations, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Thailand, are participating, along with Timor-Leste attending as an observer.
Following up on the 32nd AEGC held in March, this meeting aims to establish common legal standards and create an equitable competitive environment within ASEAN, aligning with international standards. Participants are setting policy directions for regulating competition within ASEAN, fostering regional policy alignment, enhancing cross-border cooperation, and exchanging knowledge and resources. Thailand is discussing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Australia and the Philippines for information sharing and joint competition oversight, particularly concerning digital platform businesses. This collaboration will help strengthen competition enforcement across ASEAN.
In addition to ASEAN-specific discussions, the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Competition (AFAC) is under revision and expected to be finalized soon. Plans for the next phase of the ASEAN Competition Action Plan, which concludes in 2025, are also underway.
The Chairman added that Thailand is also preparing to join the OECD, requiring an assessment of its readiness and competitiveness policies. This AEGC meeting underscores Thailand’s commitment to advancing fair competition within ASEAN and highlights its role in regional regulatory cohesion. As part of a public awareness initiative, the “TCCT Pledge” song was created to promote understanding of the importance of fair and open competition and reinforce the Trade Competition Commission’s commitment to maintaining free and fair competition.
