Thai, the Philippines keen to join TPP talks
BERNAMA | 2013/02/28
Thai, the Philippines keen to join TPP talks
KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand and the Philippines are among countries that have recently expressed an interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) bandwagon with the other 11 stakeholders.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Jose Fernandez said the matter had been the subject of further discussion on his recent visit to both countries.
Speaking to reporters via Teleconference from Singapore here today, Fernandez said the TPP, among whose goals are to improve labour conditions, care for the environment and boost trade to create jobs, is designed to include additional countries interested in participating.
"Obviously, this has to be a joint decision of all the partners. But the US will work with them (Thailand and the Philippines) on meeting all the standards in preparation for joining the TPP," he added.
Fernandez recently visited Myanmar, Thailand and the Philippines while meeting with American companies doing business in the respective countries, as well as policy makers, in a move to boost trade and investment between the US and the Asean countries.
The TPP negotiations, involving the US and the other eight TPP countries, namely Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam as well as Canada and
Mexico who are preparing to join, has so far gone through 15 rounds.
During the 15th round in Auckland, New Zealand last December, the 11 leaders of the TPP countries had agreed to comprehensive access to each other’s markets in all areas.
The 16th round of negotiations will be held in Singapore from March 4-13.— Bernama
