ASEAN and EFTA adopt 2026-2030 economic cooperation work plan

Representatives from the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have adopted a new economic cooperation work plan for the period 2026-2030. The plan was approved during the ASEAN Economic Ministers' meeting held in Manila.

The framework focuses on six key areas of dialogue and information sharing: the implementation and supervision of free trade agreements, support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, e-commerce, intellectual property, innovation and emerging technologies, and trade and sustainable development. EFTA also intends to explore business delegations to facilitate further enterprise dialogue.

EFTA has already signed free trade agreements with six ASEAN member states, including recent agreements with Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Trade between EFTA and ASEAN has grown nearly fourfold over the past two decades, exceeding 20 billion euros in 2025.