Vietnam attends Preparatory RCEP Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the Preparatory Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand on November 1.
Vietnam attends Preparatory RCEP Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok ảnh 1Illustrative image (Photo: ASEAN)
Bangkok (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Industry andTrade Tran Quoc Khanh led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the Preparatory RegionalComprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok,Thailand on November 1.

The meeting was within the framework of the ongoing 35th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Thailand, the Chair of ASEAN in 2019.

The Vietnamese delegation active participated in discussionson measures to conclude negotiations on RCEP and market opening towards thegoal of signing of the deal in Vietnam next year.

At the meeting, ministers sought ways to remove remainingobstacles regarding the wording and market opening in RCEP. They  lauded negotiators’ efforts this year and agreedon a report on the negotiation progress to submit to leaders.

Speaking after the ASEAN Economic Committee (AEC) CouncilMeeting on October 31, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of CommerceJurin Laksanawisit said ASEAN and six trade partners are still optimistic aboutmaking breakthrough in RCEP negotiations.

RCEP talks began in November 2012 with a view to promotingeconomic cooperation between ASEAN and six countries that signed free trade agreementswith the bloc, which are China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Indiaand New Zealand.

Thailand hopes to conclude the talks this year when thecountry serves as ASEAN Chair.

RCEP will cover 16 nations which account for 30 percent of theworld’s total gross domestic product.

RCEP member countries have a combined population of 3.56billion people and a trade value of over 1 trillion USD, or 29 percent of theworld’s total./.
VNA

See more

The DITP predicts the Chinese market for dried and preserved fruits will reach 335.3 billion CNY (46 billion USD) by 2028. (Photo: The Nation)

Thailand leads dried fruit exports to China

The DITP predicts the Chinese market for dried and preserved fruits will reach 335.3 billion CNY (46 billion USD) by 2028 and is urging Thai businesses to capitalise by developing innovative, high-quality products.

Singaporean Minister for National Development Desmond Lee (Photo: straitstimes.com)

Singapore makes efforts to upgrade social housing

Singaporean Minister of National Development Desmond Lee said on February 17 that 29,000 flats built in 1997 or earlier have been chosen for the Housing Board’s Home Improvement Programme (HIP) and will get structural improvements and upgrades to bathrooms and entrances, among other things.

Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries is encouraging the utilization of marine biopharmaceuticals. (Photo: Antara)

Indonesia promotes Marine Biopharma in healthcare

The ministry's Director General of Marine and Ocean Space Management Victor Gustaaf Manoppo stated that this initiative aims to enhance national pharmaceutical resilience while empowering coastal communities involved in the supply chain of natural medicinal ingredients.

Myanmar cracks down on online scam centres

Myanmar cracks down on online scam centres

An estimated 220,000 people were estimated to have been tricked into working for romance-investment schemes, crypto fraud, money laundering and illegal gambling in Myanmar and Cambodia in 2023.

People get vaccinated against influenza in Thailand. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thailand sees surge in influenza cases

Thai Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin said there has been a big jump in infections in February, calling on people showing symptoms that could be flu to stay home, to prevent spreading the virus.

Thai PM Paetongtarn says AI technology needs to be adopted and regulated to help drive the Thai economy. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Thailand touts draft AI regulation

AI is expected to become a key tool in driving businesses and developing industries in Thailand, said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

At the Korea-Malaysia Trade Ministers' Meeting in 2023 (Photo: Koreaherald.com)

Malaysia, RoK resume FTA talks

The latest round of talks will take place in Kuala Lumpur from February 17 to 20, with discussions covering 11 key sectors, including goods, services, investment, and economic cooperation.

Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Dr Kao Kim Hourn (R) (Photo: asean.org)

ASEAN chief confident in Malaysia’s chairmanship

Malaysia's priorities for its 2025 chairmanship include strengthening ASEAN centrality, fostering trust through dialogue, diplomacy, and goodwill, and expanding economic partnerships beyond ASEAN borders.