“We are confident that with the commitment from all parties, we can reduce the gap (between Asean members and other signatory countries).”
Datuk Seri MuStapa MohaMeD, International Trade and Industry Minister (on the RCEP meeting to be held on March 2).
KUALA LUMPUR: The next Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) meeting, which will be held at the ministerial level on March 2 in Singapore, will discuss progress made on the trade deal.
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said he was confident that the meeting would serve as a platform to bridge the gap between Asean and other signatory countries.
“We are confident that with the firm commitment from all parties, we can reduce the gap,” he said at the launch of SME Bank’s Y-Biz Challenge 2018 and MySMEBank Online Application system here yesterday.
Mustapa said Malaysia hoped the proposed trade deal would be sealed this year.
It was reported recently that the Philippines has demanded its RCEP fellow negotiating countries work towards a speedy conclusion to the agreement.
The 21st round of the RCEP meeting was held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from February 2 to 9, and was attended by all 16 negotiating member countries.
RCEP is a free trade agreement between the 10 Asean member states and six other countries — Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.