bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

ASEAN

Sri Lanka eyes FTA with Indonesia, in continued engagement with ASEAN
25-Jan-2018 Economic Next
Sri Lanka and Indonesia had agreed to study a free trade agreement during a state visit of President Joko Widodo to Colombo.
China seeking more free-trade deals as Trump tramples them
25-Jan-2018 Today
China is redoubling its effort to seal free trade agreements with many countries. It has already covered nearly 21 countries, contrary to 20 covered by the US.
Can Modi free India’s trade policy from ’swadeshi’ shackles?
24-Jan-2018 DailyO
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, India is likely to meet a lot of offers for free trade and investment deals. With US, France and Canada leaders meeting their Indian counterpart in coming few months, it is likely that India may enter into a free trade agreement with them. Though, it will be interesting to know how Prime Minister Modi go ahead with these offers.
India pushes for concluding balanced RCEP deal that includes services pact
23-Jan-2018 Livemint
India’s Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu said RCEP negotiations may be taking longer than expected because of the economic diversity among member countries.
Trade talks: a busy year ahead for India
22-Jan-2018 Deccan Herald
The year 2017 began with uncertainties in the global environment. On trade policy, the year did not end on any clearer terms than it started with. Uncertainty remains over several ongoing negotiations with different sets of countries. It is most visible at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and in India’s bilateral trade relations with Europe and the US.
Indonesia sends trade mission to South Asia
22-Jan-2018 Jakarta Post
Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita kicked off the trade mission on Monday to two South Asia countries — India and Pakistan — taking with him 61 businesspeople to explore the cooperation with their counterparts in the two countries.
Tall order as Singapore takes Asean chair: The Nation
16-Jan-2018 The Straits Times
Singapore has assumed the ASEAN 2018 chair. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has announced that his theme for the undertaking would be "Resilient and Innovative". It will be challenging for Singapore amidst multilateral trade and the Rohingya calamity in the region.
Singapore takes the hot seat: Steering Asean amid challenges
14-Jan-2018 The Straits Times
As Singapore becomes chairman of grouping, it hopes to get members to share common vision on terrorism, climate change and trade.
Indonesia-EU CEPA 4th round to be held in Surakarta
12-Jan-2018 Jakarta Post
The fourth round of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is scheduled to be held in Surakarta in February.
Indonesia to start trade talks to boost exports
5-Jan-2018 Jakarta Post
Indonesia seeks to initiate negotiations on trade agreements under both bilateral and regional schemes this year to help jack up the country’s exports.
Big Asean presence on R-Day will have ripple effect on mega trade pact talks
5-Jan-2018 The Hindu BusinessLine
It is highly probable that the Asean countries will use the official visit to gain some political mileage and push India towards steeper commitments on dismantling tariffs and improve market access commitments to RCEP members.
RCEP: India hardens stand ahead of summit with ASEAN
2-Jan-2018 The Hindu
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has taken a strong stand that the country should restrain itself from concluding free trade agreement from which it would not gain in the medium term.
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP): India pushes for greater market access, ASEAN irked
6-Dec-2017 Financial Express
Time and again India has flagged its concerns on the slow pace of services trade.
Civil society commits to push back corporate power at 2017 ACSC/APF
23-Nov-2017 APRN
The call “Southeast Asia is not for sale. We are not for sale!” echoed as hundreds marched to the historic People Power Monument along the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue in Manila, Philippines.
Rising US, China protectionism: Philippines still on losing end
16-Nov-2017 Ibon
As the world financial crisis persists, developed countries like the United States and China are taking increasingly protectionist stances while they are also aggressively pursuing further liberalization of less developed countries.
ASEAN signs FTA, investment deal with HKC
13-Nov-2017 Manila Bulletin
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Hong Kong, China signed free trade and investment agreements, the sixth economic deal entered into by the 10-member countries.
RCEP trade agreement delayed till 2018
13-Nov-2017 Nikkei
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership will not reach an agreement in 2017 while Japan signs deal with ASEAN covering services and investment.
Duterte calls for stronger ties between APEC, ASEAN
13-Nov-2017 Rappler
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks at an informal dialogue that is the first of its kind between APEC and ASEAN.
CSOs take a stand against corporate agenda at ASEAN People’s Forum 2017
13-Nov-2017 APWLD
Civil society urges the ASEAN Member States to take people-centred approach.
ASEAN economic integration by whom? for whom?
9-Nov-2017 APRN
ASEAN member states must end policies, laws and institutional practices, including free trade and investment agreements that violate the people’s rights.