EU-ASEAN Business Council Urges Action Against Illicit Trade, Highlights India's Role

The EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) has issued a call for enhanced and coordinated efforts to tackle illicit trade, which it identifies as an escalating economic threat to the long-term growth of the ASEAN region, public safety, and the resilience of supply chains. In its recent publication titled “Driving ASEAN Action Against Illicit Trade: A Strategic, Philippines’ Priority Economic Deliverables (PED)-aligned Blueprint for the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship,” the EU-ABC presents a detailed framework aimed at prevention and emphasizes the importance of collaboration among ASEAN Dialogue Partners, including India, in combating illicit trade throughout the region. The report articulates that illicit trade poses significant risks to economic development, government revenue, consumer safety, and the stability of regional supply chains. It underscores the necessity for improved regional cooperation during the Philippines’ upcoming ASEAN Chairship in 2026.

India's strategic geographic location, robust enforcement capabilities, and increasing focus on risk-based trade governance position it as a crucial dialogue partner in this initiative. The report suggests that through enhanced collaboration, improved intelligence sharing, and the establishment of pre-export assurance mechanisms, India can significantly contribute to fostering secure and efficient trade practices. To this end, the report outlines five key recommendations aimed at strengthening the fight against illicit trade: enhancing institutional coordination via a unified platform for intelligence sharing and joint actions; aligning policy and regulatory frameworks among ASEAN Member States regarding licensing, oversight of supply chains, and risk-based pre-export assurance; utilizing digital tools to bolster intelligence sharing and risk management among customs authorities; developing adaptable regulatory principles tailored to specific sectors rather than imposing uniform rules; and fostering structured partnerships with the private sector and key Dialogue Partners to reinforce supply chain integrity.