DI SEA’s General Director, Andy Tuan-Anh Nguyen, was honored to participate in the Policy Roundtable on Digital Trade and Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) of ASEAN organized by the ASEAN Economic Forum in collaboration with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) on Thursday, August 15, 2024.

The roundtable focused on digital trade, particularly with a view to the upcoming DEFA of ASEAN. DEFA negotiations are expected to be completed by 2025, acknowledging the importance of consolidating commitments to advance the digital economy and e-commerce under a comprehensive digital-only framework.

During his participation, Andy provided his insights on key aspects, including the readiness of the ecosystem, exit opportunities for startups, and the challenges arising from the limited presence of funds in the markets of Vietnam and Indonesia. Drawing from his extensive experience consulting for Japanese conglomerates, Andy also offered strategic advice on customizing solutions for startups to effectively engage in partnerships with major corporations.

Click on the link below for a summary of the Policy Roundtable Bridging Borders: Digital Trade and Economic Integration in ASEAN “Shaping ASEAN’s Digital Trade Landscape Insight from the ASEAN Economic Forum.”

Shaping ASEAN’s Digital Trade Landscape Insights from the ASEAN Economic Forum