Supapjee joins the Prime Minister's delegation for the ASEAN Summit from 15-17 November, advancing three key agreements to connect the digital economy, lower ASEAN-China trade barriers, speed up Thai fruit border clearance, and ease SME access to regional markets.
On 13 November 2026, Supapjee Suthumpun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, announced she will travel with the Prime Minister to attend the 49th ASEAN Summit from 15-17 November 2026 in Manila, Philippines. As Deputy Prime Minister responsible for the ASEAN Economic Community pillar, she will participate in the ASEAN Summit and meetings with key dialogue partners including China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, India, and the United States. She will sign the ASEAN digital economy agreement, oversee the launch of the upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA 3.0) on 1 December 2026, and report progress on the revised ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA Upgrade) expected mid-next year.
Supapjee said the meeting will present 31 key economic outcomes to ASEAN leaders. A major highlight is signing the ASEAN digital economy agreement, the world’s first regional digital trade pact. It aims to establish shared rules and standards to benefit businesses and consumers by reducing digital trade barriers, promoting global standards, and enabling efficient digital system connectivity among member states. This covers paperless trade, electronic payments, and digital identity verification, which will lower business steps and costs while expanding market access opportunities for especially MSMEs across ASEAN.
Regarding goods trade, the meeting will update ASEAN leaders on progress toward enforcement of the revised ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), expected by year-end. The upgraded agreement will enhance trade facilitation, reduce procedures and barriers among members, and promote digital technology use in trade processes. This will make regional goods movement faster, more transparent, and more efficient, cutting costs for businesses, particularly MSMEs, and boosting trade opportunities. It also emphasizes maintaining trade continuity and access to essential goods during crises, strengthening supply chain resilience and ASEAN’s capacity to face future economic challenges.
Additionally, Supapjee will attend the 29th ASEAN-China Summit, where the upgraded ACFTA 3.0 is expected to officially come into effect on 1 December 2026. The enhanced agreement will deepen economic cooperation and streamline trade between ASEAN and China, including improved customs procedures enabling perishable Thai agricultural and fruit products to clear customs within six hours. This will accelerate exports to China, reducing delays and product quality loss. It also promotes environmentally friendly industries and investment, while enhancing MSMEs’ access to trade regulation information, lowering information costs, increasing transparency, and enabling more effective trade and investment planning.