ASEAN should ratify RCEP soon to boost economic recovery: Singaporean PM

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called on relevant parties to soon ratify the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to contribute to the region’s post-pandemic economic recovery while addressing the 38th ASEAN Summit on October 26.

Given the difficult times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Singaporean PM noted the need to work even harder on economic integration, and ratify the RCEP.

According to him, the agreement will boost confidence in regional trade and investment and contribute significantly to the region’s post-pandemic economic recovery.

"I look forward to the swift ratification of the RCEP by all ASEAN Member States and partners, for the agreement to enter into force by January 2022 as planned.”

ASEAN countries must also progressively re-open its economies and resume safe travel as they bring COVID-19 under control, Lee noted. This, he said, is an important aspect of living with COVID-19.

With the COVID-19 pandemic remaining a key challenge after two years, ASEAN nations must work together to improve access to vaccines, added Lee.

“As co-chair of the Friends of the COVID19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility, Singapore is strongly committed to vaccine multilateralism and fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries,” he affirmed.

Malaysian PM Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Photo: VNA)

Meanwhile, Malaysian PM Ismail Sabri Yaakob said on his Twitter that Malaysia remains strongly committed to ratifying the RCEP by the end of this year as it will help accelerate regional recovery as well as resilience./.

VNA