Bangkok (VNA) – The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its six trading partners remain optimistic about making a breakthrough on the long-delayed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) deal, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit.
He made the statement following the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council in Bangkok on October 31.
Jurin said participants of the RCEP hope to finalise talks on the pact during the 35th ASEAN Summit and related meetings from November 2-4.
The RCEP talks were launched in November 2012, with the goal of deepening economic cooperation between ASEAN and its six trade partners namely China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, India and New Zealand.
The signatory countries to the RCEP have a combined population of about 3.56 billion, with a trading volume of more than 10.3 trillion USD or 29 percent of world trade./.
VNA