9-Jul-2025
The Edge Malaysia
Malaysian CSOs have urged the government to reject the inclusion of the ISDS clause in the RCEP agreement. They warn that ISDS allows foreign investors to sue governments over policies safeguarding public interests like health, workers, and the environment, potentially leading to costly legal battles and large payouts detrimental to national budgets.
7-Jul-2025
The Financial Express
Bangladesh now gears up drives for striking free-trade deals, with negotiations underway with a couple of countries, as the country prepares for post-graduation trade sans tariff concessions.
7-Jul-2025
bilaterals.org
Civil society organisations from the 15 member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), call upon RCEP governments to continue to exclude Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) from the RCEP.
16-Apr-2025
Economic Times
Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan revealed that Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong are interested in joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which currently has 15 members after India withdrew due to concerns over its trade imbalance with China.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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
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.