The Open Trade Pillar (OTp) actively engaged with the 29th ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Electronic Commerce and Digital Economy (ACCED), held on 15 June 2026.

During the meeting, the OTp team highlighted progress in helping boost trade digitalisation across ASEAN Member States through the implementation of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR), which the UK adopted in 2023.

In ASEAN, adoption is staggered. Singapore and Timor-Leste have already passed the necessary legislation. Malaysia and the Philippines are advancing through the policy development stages, while Indonesia and Cambodia are building awareness and support. Other members remain in the early stages of the adoption process.

Our support includes ongoing activities such as:
-) Legal and regulatory support to enable MLETR alignment
-) Public and private sector workshops and stakeholder engagement
-) Development of practical tools, including real-world use cases of electronic transferable records
-) Support for implementation and operationalisation of digital trade frameworks

The discussion highlighted a growing shift from legal adoption to practical implementation, with the electronic trade documents increasingly being used in real-world transactions

This engagement demonstrates a shared commitment with ASEAN partners to reduce legal barriers and enable a more seamless and interoperable digital trade environment, enabling businesses—including women-owned enterprises—to operate with confidence and enhancing ASEAN’s overall competitiveness.