Why DEFA Matters Now
ASEAN’s digital economy is projected to become one of the fastest-growing in the world, driven by expanding internet penetration, a young digital-native population, and rapid adoption of e-commerce, fintech, AI, and cloud services. In this context, the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) represents a transformational development for the region and a strategic priority for U.S. companies operating across Southeast Asia.
Senior officials from ASEAN have emphasized that DEFA is envisioned as ASEAN’s first comprehensive agreement with legally binding obligations aimed for digital integration and transformation, incorporating…