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RCEP

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (ASEAN+6)

Govt takes first step to join China-led trade bloc
17-Oct-2024 The Daily Star
Bangladesh has initiated the process to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). This move is primarily driven by the need to secure preferential trade benefits after graduating from the least developed countries (LDCs) status in 2026.
Interim govt moves to access RCEP
14-Oct-2024 The Financial Express
The Bangladesh interim government has strongly started processing to access the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), an emerging economic bloc encompassing the Asia-Pacific region that represents one third of global GDP.
Three economies wait to join RCEP
4-Oct-2024 Thai PBS
Chile is the third economy wanting to join the word’s largest free trade agreement, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which has been in force in the past two years.
Hong Kong expands transshipment scope, reinforces status as key global trade hub
2-Sep-2024 Global Times
Such arrangements strengthen the logistics and transportation sectors, further reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international logistics hub.
Hong Kong has ASEAN backing to join RCEP trade pact: John Lee
6-Aug-2024 Nikkei Asia
Southeast Asian countries support Hong Kong’s bid for "early accession" to the Pacific mega-trade deal they lead with China, the city’s Chief Executive John Lee said.
55 agreements signed with three Asean nations: CE
2-Aug-2024 RTHK
Chief Executive John Lee has hailed his six-day trip to Southeast Asia with a total of 55 non-binding deals signed with three countries.
Hong Kong’s bid to join RCEP trade bloc receives warm response, chief executive says
10-Jul-2024 South China Morning Post
A majority of the members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership have responded positively to Hong Kong’s application to join the trade bloc, the city’s Chief Executive said.
Chile’s RCEP application ’fresh sign’ supporting globalization
18-Jun-2024 Global Times
Chile has officially submitted an application to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
RCEP conditionalities critical for agriculture
27-May-2024 Business Inquirer
The Philippines’ membership in RCEP is conditional on implementing six measures in the agriculture sector. The Senate hearing is an important activity to ensure that these conditionalities are implemented. If not met, the ratification states: “The Senate of the Philippines may recommend to the President the withdrawal of the agreement.”
RCEP members encouraged to harmonize rules
20-May-2024 China Daily
Members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership can further improve the alignment of operational guidelines across key sectors such as competition policy and trade in services to elevate mutual openness, said trade experts and foreign scholars on Sunday.
Beijing lobbying for Hong Kong to join world’s biggest free-trade pact this year: minister
22-Apr-2024 MSN
Hong Kong is expected to join the RCEP this year despite past delays, as Beijing lobbies all member states to speed up the approval process for the city, the local commerce chief has said.
Sri Lanka awaiting RCEP admission mechanism
1-Apr-2024 Economy Next
Sri Lanka has expressed its intent to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by lodging a letter of intent and engaging in discussions with member states in Jakarta. While Sri Lanka’s application is currently awaiting the development of an admission mechanism for new members, the country is actively pursuing membership in the world’s largest trade bloc to expand market access.
India-Oman FTA may be reality soon; legal vetting of deal’s text underway
21-Feb-2024 Business Standard
India is keen to finalise the trade pact before the model code of conduct (MCC) kicks-in ahead of its general elections, making the timing of the finalisation of the proposed deal crucial
Sri Lanka to join Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership – President
12-Feb-2024 Daily News
President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced Sri Lanka’s upcoming participation in the RCEP, highlighting the benefits of connecting with the European Union’s trade system.
India did well in not joining RCEP
19-Jan-2024 The Hindu BusinessLine
In the two years since it came into force, RCEP has benefited China much more than other member nations.
Indonesia implemented three trade agreements in 2023: Minister
5-Jan-2024 Antara
The Indonesian government started implementing three international trade agreements involving the United Arab Emirates, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and South Korea in 2023.
India takes cautionary stance amid Bangladesh-China trade bloc negotiations
29-Dec-2023 Dhaka Tribune
India is evaluating the potential consequences before accelerating FTA negotiations with Bangladesh
Sri Lanka eyeing investment only deal with India, RCEP hits roadblock: President
1-Dec-2023 Economy Next
Sri Lanka has started discussions on separate agreements on investment and trade with India and an attempt to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership has been hit by a lack of rules to admit new members.
Bangladesh postpones joining China-led RCEP, other blocs
24-Oct-2023 The Financial Express
Bangladesh will not join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), world’s largest regional free-trade bloc led by China, or any other grouping before the forthcoming general election.
Procedures for countries to join RCEP to be ready by 2024
24-Oct-2023 Jakarta Globe
The ASEAN Secretariat said that the preliminary work to allow more countries to join the world’s largest trade deal RCEP was underway, with the procedures for the accession to possibly be ready by next year.