ASEAN Charts New Era for Area’s Financial Resilience

11^th ASEAN Competition Conference Opens with Launch of ACAP 2030 and AI Innovation Toolkit

(View Media Release in PDF)

1. The 11^th ASEAN Competition Conference (“ACC”) opened immediately in Singapore, hosted by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (“CCCS”). The flagship occasion of the ASEAN Experts Group on Competition (“AEGC”) brings collectively policymakers, enterprise leaders, competitors practitioners, lecturers, and worldwide companions to debate the newest competitors coverage developments throughout the area.

2. Themed “A New Era for Competition Policy in ASEAN”, the 1½ -day convention^[1] explores how competitors coverage and enforcement may be harnessed to construct a extra resilient and inclusive regional economic system. The convention comes at a crucial time as ASEAN navigates unprecedented world challenges, from pandemic disruptions to mounting geopolitical tensions and rising commerce obstacles which have reshaped worldwide commerce patterns and revealed vulnerabilities in Global Value Chains.

3. Speaking on the ACC opening this morning, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Ms Low Yen Ling emphasised that ASEAN should proceed upholding aggressive markets to thrive within the world economic system. She additionally famous that fostering aggressive markets and eradicating obstacles to truthful competitors can contribute to better Global Value Chain resilience in ASEAN, which is projected to generate as much as US$540 billion in web financial worth and create 12 million new jobs by 2030. 

Strengthening Regional Enforcement

4. The convention noticed the launch of the ASEAN Competition Action Plan (“ACAP”) 2026-2030, outlining ASEAN’s strategic route for deepening regional cooperation, and enhancing enforcement coordination. Implemented by the AEGC, the ACAP contributes in direction of reaching an enterprising, daring, and modern ASEAN Community while cultivating innovation-driven market dynamics throughout the area.  

AI Markets Toolkit Launch

5. CCCS will unveil its AI Markets (“AIM”) Toolkit, developed in collaboration with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (“IMDA”). The voluntary self-assessment device helps companies consider their AI fashions and practices for competitors and client safety compliance by way of course of checks and technical checks. “The tool balances innovation and regulatory compliance for sustainable AI growth, creating a trusted environment that prevents anti-competitive practices and protects consumer interests,” Ms Low defined.

Strategic Focus on Cross-Border Cooperation

6. CCCS Chairman Mr Max Loh emphasised the evolving nature of competitors challenges in his welcome remarks, noting that “digital markets now transcend national boundaries, creating enforcement challenges that no single authority can address alone.” He highlighted that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (“MSMEs”), which signify over 95% of ASEAN companies and type the spine of ASEAN economies, notably profit from truthful competitors insurance policies. 

7. Throughout the convention, contributors will discover how competitors coverage and enforcement may be harnessed to construct a extra resilient and inclusive regional economic system.

8. “CCCS is proud to host this landmark conference as ASEAN enters a new era of competition policy cooperation, marked by the ACAP 2026-2030 and the launch of innovative tools like our AI Markets Toolkit,” mentioned CCCS Chief Executive, Mr Alvin Koh. “The 11th ACC demonstrates our collective commitment to building resilient, inclusive markets that enable businesses of all sizes to thrive in an increasingly interconnected regional economy.”

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About the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (“CCCS”) is a statutory board of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Our mission is to make markets work effectively to create alternatives and decisions for companies and shoppers in Singapore. 

CCCS administers and enforces the Competition Act 2004 and the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act 2003, to protect towards anti-competitive actions and unfair commerce practices. Additionally, CCCS ensures that companies observe truthful commerce measurement practices by administering the Weights and Measures Act 1975, and ensures the availability of protected client items by implementing and implementing the Consumer Protection (Trade Descriptions and Safety Requirements) Act 1975 and its related Regulations. 

For extra info, please go to www.cccs.gov.sg.

^[1] The 1½ -day ACC is complemented by a ½ day CCCS Conference that takes place on 25 Sep after ACC. Details of the 2 conferences may be discovered at