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The Meeting of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Trade Facilitation Working Group (SASEC TFWG) was held on 10-11 September 2026 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Participants considered preparations for a Trade Facilitation Gap Analysis to support the results framework of the SASEC Sector Strategy 2035’s Trade Facilitation Operational Priority. Updates from the 14th SASEC Customs Subgroup Meeting were presented, alongside knowledge work relevant to regional cooperation. The meeting also reviewed and endorsed the Action Plan for SASEC Initiatives (APSI) 2026-2028 and discussed updating it for 2027-2029. The TFWG discussed a common agenda with the Transport Working Group on expediting Highly Facilitated Trade Corridors and Comprehensive Trade Gateways Ecosystem Development.

The meeting was chaired on 10 September 2026 by Mr. D.M.K.S. Dissanayake, Additional Secretary (Engineering), Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development. Mr. Kumudu Meegahage, Director (Trade and Research), chaired the meeting on 11 September. Mr. Joonho Hwang, Director (Energy) at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and incoming Head of the Regional Cooperation and Integration unit at ADB’s South Asia Regional Cooperation, South Asia Regional Department, served as cochair on both days.

The meeting was attended by officials from ministries or agencies for customs, trade and commerce, land ports, information technology and digital governance, finance, and external or foreign affairs. Staff and consultants from ADB also took part in the meeting. SASEC countries comprise Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.