First year of RCEP enforcement brings regional industrial chain closer
In the more than half century since its founding, ASEAN has historically been a relatively ‘quiet’ trading bloc. Signs suggest, however, that this is changing.
Thailand recorded 300 billion USD in trade with other member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2022, up 7.11% year on year, official data showed.
From late 2021 the country’s economic momentum had been regained.
The Republic of Korea (RoK) and Singapore have started implementing their bilateral Digital Partnership Agreement (DPA) – about two months after they signed the agreement, according to the RoK’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Southeast Asia’s merchandise and commercial service exports are likely to post slower growth this year from last year as global demand weakens, according to the ESCAP.
Indonesia’s government has made the development of the country’s special economic zones (SEZ) a priority policy with the aim of attracting over US$50 billion in foreign investment over the next decade, particularly for SEZ-oriented manufacturing.
Singapore handled the second-highest number of containers on record in 2022 to retain its position as the world’s largest transshipment port, even as global container trade declined.
<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
