ASEAN Strengthens Cooperation on International Trade in Services Statistics

The 12th Working Group on Statistics of International Trade in Services (WGSITS12) has concluded with a focus on strengthening cooperation, enhancing comparability, and improving the quality and timeliness of trade in services statistics in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Malaysia's chief statistician and chair of the 15th ASEAN Community Statistical System, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, emphasized the importance of reliable and forward-looking statistics for ASEAN policy formulation, economic integration, and sustainable development. The meeting reviewed the progress of past initiatives and charted direction for the next five years, with a focus on preparing a new work plan for 2026-2030.

Key Takeaways:

• The WGSITS12 meeting brought together 22 participants from ASEAN member countries, including representatives from Malaysia and the ASEAN secretariat, to review the progress of past initiatives and chart direction for the next five years.
• The meeting focused on preparing a new work plan for 2026-2030, aligning services trade statistics with ASEAN's broader economic goals, including the ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026-2030 and ASEAN's post-2025 development vision.
• The Statistics Department of Malaysia presented its national work plan and shared experiences compiling Statistics of International Trade in Services (SITS) to improve data quality, enhance timeliness, and strengthen coverage in line with international standards.
• ASEAN's strong performance in international trade in services in 2024 was noted, with a 12.2 per cent increase to US$1.29 trillion, driven by growth in tourism and transport services, as well as continued growth in digital and business services across ASEAN.
• Intra-ASEAN trade in services also grew, with exports rising by 13.1 per cent to US$92 billion, and imports up by 13.3 per cent to US$85.9 billion, accounting for nearly 14 per cent of the region's total services trade.

Statistics:

• ASEAN's international trade in services rose by 12.2 per cent to US$1.29 trillion in 2024.
• Exports rose by 14 per cent to US$667.9 billion and imports rose by 10.2 per cent to US$618.5 billion, resulting in a US$49.3 billion trade surplus in 2024.
• Intra-ASEAN trade in services grew, with exports rising by 13.1 per cent to US$92 billion, and imports up by 13.3 per cent to US$85.9 billion in 2024.

Sources:

• BERNAMA News Agency, "WGSITS12 meeting concludes with focus on strengthening cooperation on international trade in services statistics" (September 11, 2025)