The Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA) and its Compatibility with GATT/WTO
ASIAN YEARBOOK OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, B.S. Chimni, et. al., eds., pp. 37-58, 2003
22 Pages Posted: 26 Oct 2009 Last revised: 1 Mar 2010
Date Written: October 26, 2009
Abstract
In this paper attention is primarily focused on the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and, more specifically, on the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), which symbolises the recent response of the Southeast Asian countries to other, more advanced, instances of regional economic integration, and to the globalisation process.
AFTA represents a challenge also for ASEAN after the unsuccessful programmes for the expansion of trade amongst ASEAN economies prior to the formation of the free-trade area. It therefore seems important, after a basic description of what AFTA actually is and an explanation of what it does entail, to determine its place within the multilateral trading system and, in particular, its compliance with the rules of GATT/WTO.
Keywords: WTO Law, Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs), Free Trade Areas, ASEAN
JEL Classification: F15
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation