News & Articles

Dear Members of the AFB, Retail, Cosmetics, Tobacco, Import-Export, Transportation and Logistics, Intellectual Property, and Technology Working Groups:

I would like to announce several changes that were approved by the Board in regards to the total number of Working Groups as well as the composition/merger of your respective Working Groups. This decision was based on the Board’s finding that:

1. the current number of 15 Working Groups was deemed too many and may not be relevant;
2. Duplication in regards to the Advocacy issues/concerns conveyed by a number of Working Groups within their position papers; and
3. Mismatch in the quality or members of Working Groups (ie. there were some with numerous member participation/inputs and others with minimal/none; others that actively meet while others do not).

In this regard, the Board decided at the Executive Board Meeting (EBM) dated 29 September 2023 to approve to streamline the number of Working Groups from the previous 15 to 10 Working Groups. To achieve this, the Board approved to merge 8 Working Groups into 3 new Working Groups, thereby the total number of Working Groups will be 10. The merged Working Groups are:

1. Fast Moving Consumer Goods Working Group comprised of: a) the Agriculture, Food, and Beverage Sub Working Group, b) the Retail Sub-Working Group, c) the Cosmetics Sub Working Group, and d) Tobacco Sub-Working Groups
2. Market Access Working Group comprised of: a) Import-Export Sub Working Group, and b) Transport & Logistics Sub Working Group
3. Innovation Working Group comprised of: a) Intellectual Property Sub Working Group; and b) Technology Sub Working Group

The Board and the Working Group leaders of the relevant Working Groups subsequently met on 20 October to communicate the Board's decision pertaining to the Working Group changes. The outcome of the meeting are as follows:

1. To carry out the changes accordingly.
2. To convene meetings with the relevant Working Groups in order to: a) Elect new leaders for the new Working Group, and b) determine the 3 advocacy priorities for 2024.
3. The existing Working Groups will be allowed to function with the current structure. However, over a period of time, the Working Group can determine whether to create or dissolve new sub-working groups in future given the need or relevance.

We urge all members to support the process as the Working Group changes is aimed at improving efficiency as well as ensure that EuroCham's advocacy remains relevant and its messages are conveyed in a timely and coordinated manner.

The European Union Anti-Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)”

The EBO ASEAN joint webinar entitled “Understanding Better: The European Union Anti-Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)” was successfully held this morning on September 22.

The webinar featured Henriette Færgemann (First Counsellor for Environment, Climate Action, & Digital Cooperation, EU Delegation Indonesia), with opening remarks from Edison Bako (Executive Director of EuroCham Indonesia) and closing remarks from Nele Cornelis (Executive Director of European Chamber of Commerce, Singapore (EuroCham Singapore).

During the event Henriette conveyed the general understanding and essence of EUDR. This includes the obligation to carry out thorough diligence throughout the value chain for all businesses and merchants involved in specific items such as cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy, beef, and timber. The EUDR mandates that seven specific commodities and their related products must meet the criteria to be sold or exported within the EU market.

Given the impact on the region, Henriette said that the EU is ready to collaborate and help business actors in ASEAN, both SMEs and companies from the EU in ASEAN, to be able to continue exporting to the EU smoothly after the EUDR officially comes into effect.

This webinar is one of a series of webinars regarding EU sustainability regulations that will be held in the near future. Stay tuned for another EBO ASEAN webinar in the near future!