Trade expert underscores need for inclusive trade policies in agriculture at SEARCA ADSS

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) convened experts, researchers, and stakeholders for its Agriculture and Development Seminar Series (ADSS) early this year, featuring a comprehensive discussion on the transformative potential of free trade agreements (FTAs) for the agriculture sector.

Invited resource speaker Mr. Muhamed Salim bin Mohd Ali, Chief Executive Officer of the International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet), emphasized that FTAs remain powerful instruments for agricultural growth—but only when paired with strong domestic policies that ensure equitable benefits for smallholders and sensitive sectors.

In his presentation, “Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): Importance and Impacts on the Agriculture Sector,” Salim explained that FTAs work by reducing or eliminating tariffs and non‑tariff barriers among participating economies. Such arrangements, he noted, foster global competition, boost the efficiency of domestic industries, and broaden consumer access to affordable and high‑quality products.

He highlighted that FTAs also strengthen regional and international cooperation by establishing shared frameworks for trade and investment, enhancing people‑to‑people and business‑to‑business linkages, and contributing to global economic progress.

Salim cited several major agreements covering the agriculture sector, including the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement, Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans‑Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP),  which have collectively expanded market access, raised farm incomes, supported value addition, and improved participation in global value chains.

Turning to the Philippines, he noted the country’s participation in multiple FTAs, including AFTA, RCEP, the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), the Philippines-South Korea FTA, and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA). Philippine experience, he said, underscores that FTAs yield the most benefits when supported by strong domestic productivity initiatives and competitiveness measures. High‑value and well‑organized subsectors often see the greatest export gains, while smallholders require targeted support to fully benefit from trade liberalization.

Salim urged governments to pursue a balanced trade agenda that integrates food security, rural development, and inclusive growth. He recommended regular reviews of bilateral FTAs to ensure alignment with national development priorities, and called for closer examination of regional FTAs to address uneven gains among member states.

He concluded by stressing the need for a strategic and inclusive approach to negotiating and implementing FTAs to ensure that agricultural sectors remain competitive, resilient, and socially sustainable.

The ADSS is SEARCA’s flagship seminar series that fosters scientific exchange on key issues shaping the future of Southeast Asian agriculture. It promotes dialogue on development and research topics essential to the region’s sustainable agricultural transformation under SEARCA’s SUSTAIN Southeast Asia framework.

###

Article photo: tfnet ceo adss.png