The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is pushing its “most ambitious undertaking,” the Digital Economic Framework Agreement (DEFA), to develop a region-wide framework for digital trade and the economy.

At the 32nd ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat on Friday, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, representing the Philippines as chair of this year’s ASEAN, the DEFA is part of its Priority Economic Deliverables.

Roque acknowledged the urgency of advancing the DEFA.

“When completed, this will form the region’s most comprehensive framework for digital trade and digital economy, which is actually very important,” she said.

“We look forward to a progress report that reflects the urgency of a digital age, and I believe we all share the hope that progress continues in a positive direction,” she added.

The DEFA is a key component of the Philippines’ economic agenda for its 2026 ASEAN Chairship, aiming to strengthen regional resilience, encourage innovation, and deepen economic integration among the 11-member bloc.

Once completed, the DEFA is expected to streamline digital commerce across ASEAN, improve interoperability of digital systems, and promote innovation in areas such as e-commerce, digital payments and data governance.