ASEAN ministers want considerable progress on RCEP
ASEAN economic ministers have agreed to work for considerable progress on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to prove ASEAN’s leadership in creating a regional partnership.
A cashew processing factory in Vietnam (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – ASEAN economic ministers have agreedto work for considerable progress on the Regional Comprehensive EconomicPartnership (RCEP) to prove ASEAN’s leadership in creating a regionalpartnership.
The ministers reached the consensus at a meeting that endedon March 10 in Manila, the Philippines.
Philippine Secretary of Trade and Industry Ramon Lopez, whochaired the event, said the RCEP is believed to shape the future of trade andeconomic liberalisation in Asia.
The RCEP is a large-scale trade deal designed toexpand and solidify commitments among the 10 ASEAN countries and six dialoguepartners including China. It is expected to expand ASEAN’s market from 600million people to 3.5 billion people, accounting for almost half of the globalpopulation.
Talks on the agreement were launched in November2012 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and the initial goal is to finish negotiationsbefore the end of 2015. However, this deadline was missed and negotiations areset to be stepped up in 2017 with a view to signing this pact within this year.
At the meeting, the ASEAN ministers also agreedto support the bloc’s agreement on trade in services so as to promote theservice sector’s transparency in the ASEAN Community.-VNA
The US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership is likely to help the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership wrap up faster than expected, said Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for accelerating negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to create the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).
Senior officials from 16 Asia-Pacific countries met in Kobe, Japan on February 27 for the next round of negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The Philippines, host of this year’s ASEAN meetings, vowed on March 6 to push for the substantial conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) designed to broaden and deepen cooperation between ASEAN and its six dialogue partners.
Thailand should actively join negotiations on free trade deals to offset the prospect of protectionism in global trade, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
A cashew processing factory in Vietnam (Photo: VNA) 
