Signing of RCEP marks milestone in ASEAN history: official
ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi said the bloc had a momentous day when leaders of its member states, Australia, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and New Zealand witnessed the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement.
ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi (Source: VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi said the bloc hada momentous day when leaders of its member states, Australia, China, Japan, theRepublic of Korea, and New Zealand witnessed the signing of the RegionalComprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement.
He calledthe signing a historic event “as it underpins ASEAN’s role in leading amultilateral trade agreement of this magnitude, despite global and regionalchallenges and eight years of negotiations.”
“RCEP willgive a much-needed boost for a swift and robust recovery for businesses andpeoples in our region particularly during the current COVID-19 pandemiccrisis,” the official added.
RCEP isthe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s biggest free trade pact todate, covering a market of 2.2 billion people with a combined size of 26.2trillion USD or 30 percent of the world’s GDP.
The deal,upon entry into force, will improve market access with tariffs and quotaseliminated in over 65 percent of goods traded. Having 20 Chapters, 17 Annexesand 54 schedules of commitments covering market access, rules and disciplines,and economic and technical cooperation, it will make business predictable withcommon rules of origin and transparent regulations. This will encourage firmsto invest more in the region, including building supply chains and services,and to generate jobs.
Negotiationsof RCEP, beginning in 2013, were led by Iman Pambagyo, Director-General ofIndonesia’s Ministry of Trade, and were supported by the ASEAN Secretariat.
Thevirtual signing of the pact by ministers of countries involved took placefollowing the conclusion of the 4th RCEP Summit on November 15, as part of the37th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits hosted by Vietnam./.
German newspapers have run articles spotlighting the importance of the Region Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), especially for economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement will create new opportunities for Japanese manufacturers and farmers, and contribute greatly to increasing Japan’s exports to Asia, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshi Kajiyama said on November 15.
The signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement is a historic achievement of the region, according to Cambodia’s national press agency Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP).
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on November 15 that the signing of the long-waited Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement showed the region’s shared commitment to open trade and investment, despite the challenges of COVID-19.
The handover ceremony was held at the Malaysian Embassy headquarters in Mexico City on August 8, with the presence of heads of diplomatic missions from ASEAN member states in Mexico.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi (Source: VNA) 
