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ASEAN


BT Buzz: Why India should not ignore RCEP free trade mega deal
Are mega free trade agreements (FTAs) beneficial for Indian economy? Majority of Indian industry may say no, but a research policy paper attempts to offer a slightly contrarian view
Ministry announces changes in rules of origin in ASEAN-China FTA
The Ministry of Industry and Trade has announced amendments to the rules of origin under the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA).
The grand illusion of ‘free trade area’
What’s worrisome for India is the economic growth rate owing to the overall core sector slump and adverse bilateral trade balance with countries under the RCEP.
EU-Vietnam trade deal shows EU will bend human rights standards if the price is right
The new EU-Vietnam free trade agreement (FTA) shows the EU will look past human rights violations to push a trade agenda. But as FTAs with ASEAN states don’t offer the EU the same economic benefits, it’s unlikely the bloc will pen more in the near future.
EU seems to have forgiven Thai military ruler
EU is gaining a reputation in Southeast Asia for being hypocritical. Clearly, now, pragmatism is coming before principles, and values are to be provisional to trade policy.
Free trade agreement between Singapore and Britain in the works: Vivian Balakrishnan
Singapore is working with Britain on a trade deal that will port the provisions of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA) to the United Kingdom, said Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
EU struggles to strike trade pacts with major ASEAN countries
Sticking points could hinder other deals, as Vietnam gains from recent agreement
Can China’s trade boost with Asean help get the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership over the line?
The success of the ASEAN-China FTA in helping to boost business amid Beijing’s tariff dispute with the US bodes well for the upcoming talks on the creation of a RCEP.
Hopeful of addressing India’s concerns in RCEP: Indonesian Trade Minister
The ASEAN troika led by Indonesia had a “fruitful” and “very frank” dialogue with India on the RCEP and efforts are on to address Delhi’s concerns ahead of a meeting on the proposed trade agreement in China.
EU-Vietnam trade deal prompts concern in Thailand
The new EU-Vietnam free trade deal could spark a manufacturing exodus from Thailand to Vietnam. Thailand will likely look to other markets to compensate.
ASEAN Trade Ministers persuade India to speed up talks on RCEP
Trade Ministers of Thailand and Indonesia and the Secretary-General of the 10-member ASEAN group met Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss ways to speed up the RCEP negotiations
Govt attempts fresh focus on FTAs, talks with US, EU and ASEAN negotiators next week
Re-elected Indian government will engage in three sets of important trade talks: with the EU, the US and ASEAN negotiators this week.
RCEP and Indo-Pacific initiatives play second fiddle
The Indo-Pacific concept was developed in recognition of the need for ASEAN to respond with a united front to emerging regional issues, thereby preserving ASEAN’s centrality.
ASEAN to send envoys to break RCEP deadlocks
ASEAN economic ministers have agreed to have representatives from Indonesia and Thailand, as well as ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi, engage with Indian officials over deadlocks in the negotiations of the bloc’s most strategic trade agreement.
ASEAN finalises common position on RCEP
ASEAN is ready for the next move to negotiate the remaining 13 chapters of the trade deal together as a bloc at the upcoming senior economic officials’ meeting to be held at the end of this month in Melbourne, Australia.
ASEAN masses behind China as it pushes world’s biggest free trade pact
Southeast Asian leaders look determined to make progress on the world’s largest commercial pact, the China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership during the two-day Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit which gets underway in Bangkok, Thailand, on Saturday.
Iswaran: RCEP will unite region, bring opportunities for all
He notes India’s concerns over trade deal, says it would be a loss if it was not part of pact.
ASEAN seeks conclusion of China-led trade deal this year: Thai PM
Southeast Asian leaders are eager to sign a sweeping China-led trade pact by the end of this year, Thailand’s prime minister said Friday, with further talks expected at a Bangkok summit on the world’s biggest commercial deal.
Thailand hopeful of RCEP deal despite scant progress
Thailand maintains the RCEP historic deal involving 16 economies can be finalised by November.
Asean-Hong Kong FTA enters force to begin intra-regional tariff removals
Five members of the ASEAN have implemented a FTA with Hong Kong to remove tariffs, improve access for intra-regional service providers and eliminate pervasive non-tariff barriers to trade.