ASEAN, Japan reach preliminary agreement on free trade deal
        東南亞國協與日本就自由貿易協定達成初步協議

        Economic ministers from Southeast Asia and Japan have agreed in principle on major elements of a free trade pact they hope to sign in November, officials said.

        Under the deal with the 10-menber Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Japan would eliminate tariffs on 90 percent of ASEAN products once it is signed, then raise coverage to 93 percent of all products by the 10th year, said Philippine Trade Secretary Peter Favila.

        Some politically sensitive agricultural products, such as rice, were excluded from a list of products from which import tariffs will be removed, said ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong.

        Ong said officials would work out "a few more details" of the accord before its expected signing at the ASEAN-Japan summit in Singapore in November. 

        The preliminary agreement was reached Saturday in Manila during an annual meeting between Japanese and ASEAN economic ministers.


        官員周六說，東南亞與日本的經濟部長原則上已同意自由貿易協定的要點，並希望在11月簽署。

        菲律賓貿易部長法維拉說，根據與東亞國協十國達成的協議，一旦簽署自由貿易定，日本將廢除對九成東協產品課徵的關稅；到實施十周年時，再把涵蓋範圍提高到占所有產品的93%。

        東協祕書長王景榮說，若干具政治敏感性的農產品，例如稻米，不在未來取消進口關稅的產品清單上。

        王景榮說，這項協定＂還有一些細節＂待官員解決，然後可望在11月於新加坡舉行的東協與日本高峰會上簽署。

        日本與東協經濟部長周六在馬尼拉舉行年會時，達成上述的初步協議。


文：湯淑君
☆句句時話☆-摘自經濟日報8月26日A4版