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RCEP

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (ASEAN+6)

Malaysian civil society groups urge government to reject investor-state dispute settlement clause in RCEP deal
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.
Bangladesh on FTA hunt as its graduation nears
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.
Civil society groups say there is now even more reason to keep ISDS out of the RCEP
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.
Sri Lanka, Bangladesh in queue to join RCEP: Singapore foreign minister
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.
India firm on not joining RCEP pact: Industry min
9-Dec-2024 Tribune India
India in 2019 decided not to join the mega free trade agreement RCEP as the pact was not addressing its concerns, and, since then, there has been no change in that position, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said.
Govt takes first step to join China-led trade bloc
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.
Interim govt moves to access RCEP
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.
Three economies wait to join RCEP
4-Oct-2024 Thai PBS
Chile is the third economy wanting to join the word’s largest free trade agreement, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which has been in force in the past two years.
Hong Kong expands transshipment scope, reinforces status as key global trade hub
2-Sep-2024 Global Times
Such arrangements strengthen the logistics and transportation sectors, further reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international logistics hub.
Hong Kong has ASEAN backing to join RCEP trade pact: John Lee
6-Aug-2024 Nikkei Asia
Southeast Asian countries support Hong Kong’s bid for "early accession" to the Pacific mega-trade deal they lead with China, the city’s Chief Executive John Lee said.
55 agreements signed with three Asean nations: CE
2-Aug-2024 RTHK
Chief Executive John Lee has hailed his six-day trip to Southeast Asia with a total of 55 non-binding deals signed with three countries.
Hong Kong’s bid to join RCEP trade bloc receives warm response, chief executive says
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.
Chile’s RCEP application ’fresh sign’ supporting globalization
18-Jun-2024 Global Times
Chile has officially submitted an application to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
RCEP conditionalities critical for agriculture
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.”
RCEP members encouraged to harmonize rules
20-May-2024 China Daily
Members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership can further improve the alignment of operational guidelines across key sectors such as competition policy and trade in services to elevate mutual openness, said trade experts and foreign scholars on Sunday.
Beijing lobbying for Hong Kong to join world’s biggest free-trade pact this year: minister
22-Apr-2024 MSN
Hong Kong is expected to join the RCEP this year despite past delays, as Beijing lobbies all member states to speed up the approval process for the city, the local commerce chief has said.
Sri Lanka awaiting RCEP admission mechanism
1-Apr-2024 Economy Next
Sri Lanka has expressed its intent to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by lodging a letter of intent and engaging in discussions with member states in Jakarta. While Sri Lanka’s application is currently awaiting the development of an admission mechanism for new members, the country is actively pursuing membership in the world’s largest trade bloc to expand market access.
India-Oman FTA may be reality soon; legal vetting of deal’s text underway
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
Sri Lanka to join Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership – President
12-Feb-2024 Daily News
President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced Sri Lanka’s upcoming participation in the RCEP, highlighting the benefits of connecting with the European Union’s trade system.
India did well in not joining RCEP
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.