The third Inter-sessional Ministerial Meeting of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) opened in Hanoi on May 22, with the aim to speed up negotiations seeking to finalise the regional trade pact.
Hanoi (VNA) – The third Inter-sessional Ministerial Meeting of the RegionalComprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) opened in Hanoi on May 22, with theaim to speed up negotiations seeking to finalise the regional trade pact.
Attendingthe event were representatives from the 10 ASEAN nations and their partners ofAustralia, China, the Republic of Korea, India, Japan and New Zealand.
Minister ofIndustry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said that the parties involved have exertedefforts to boost negotiations with a hope to expand economic integration on thebasis of the existing positive cooperation between ASEAN and its six partners.
All of themexpect the RCEP will create a stable and unified framework and facilitate thecirculation of products, services and investment in the region.
The ministerbelieved that for enterprises in the region, especially micro, small and mediumones, the agreement will facilitate their more efficient operations, help themapproach new resources, bring their strengths into full play, and intensify theirinvolvement in the regional value chain.
Vietnamsupports the finalisation of RCEP negotiations in 2017, he affirmed, stressingthe need for the related parties to promote bilateral negotiations to reachcommitments on market opening.
At themeeting, participants agreed that concluding RCEP negotiations will deliver a clearand consistent message on door-opening policy and economic integration ofregional countries, thus helping increase the attraction of RECP economies.
Discussionsat the event contributed to narrowing differences in opinions on importantissues and putting forward clear orientations for intensive discussions towardsmaking basic progress in the following negotiation sessions.-VNA
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).
After the failure of the TPP, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is expected to benefit Vietnam provided that the country and the domestic business community make good preparation.
Philippine Secretary of Trade and Industry Ramon Lopez on May 8 urged negotiators of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to speed up talks, reaffirming the need to conclude the free trade deal this year.
An informal dialogue on shaping an integrated and inclusive Asia-Pacific took place in Hanoi on May 21 under the chair of Vietnamnese Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
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.
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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.
At the meeting (Source: VNA) 
