Vietnam attends 6th meeting of CPTPP Commission in Singapore
A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh attended the 6th meeting of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission hosted by Singapore on October 8.
This was the first in-person meeting of the CPTPP Commission since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in early 2020. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – A Vietnamese delegation ledby Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh attended the 6th meeting of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement forTrans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission hosted by Singapore on October 8.
This was the first in-person meeting of the CPTPPCommission since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in early 2020.
In his opening remarks, Singaporean Minister for Tradeand Industry Gan Kim Yong said after the three-year implementation, the agreementhas already started to deliver trade benefits to member states.
He referred to a study that found trade in goods amongCPTPP members increased by about 15%, from 467 billion USD in 2019 to 535billion USD in 2021.
Participants expressed their delight at Malaysia's ratification of the deal which will come into force with the Southeast Asian country on November 29, 2022 .
They also welcomed the adoption of the Guidelines forMutual Recognition Agreements or Arrangements for Professional Services underthe Professional Services Working Group.
These guidelines provide practical guidance for governments,relevant bodies or authorities or other entities entering into mutualrecognition negotiations for regulated professional services.
Demonstrating their commitment to advance the CPTPP, themember states continued to explore new and emerging areas of cooperation in thedigital economy and green economy.
They welcomed the progress of the ongoing discussionsfor the UK’s accession process and resolve to ensure that the high standards ofthe CPTPP are upheld throughout this process.
“We acknowledge all efforts made thus far to ensurethe UK’s compliance with all the obligations of the Agreement and look forwardto further progress on the accession process with the commitment of both theCPTPP membership and the UK,” according to the joint statement of the meeting.
Launched in December 2018, the CPTPP was signed by 11countries, including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico,New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. The free trade area accounts for anestimated 13% of the global GDP./.
The members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) constitute a potential market for the export of tra fish, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Malaysia has officially ratified the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) following years of careful deliberation and consultation by the government, becoming the 9th nation to have approved the deal.
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will come into force for Malaysia on November 29 this year, Senior Minister of International Trade and Industry Mohamed Azmin Ali has said.
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.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
This was the first in-person meeting of the CPTPP Commission since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in early 2020. (Photo: VNA) 
