Tokyo hosted leaders of some of ASEAN member states to discuss the future of Asia at a forum on Thursday, after seeing off US President Joe Biden, who visited Japan for a Quad summit and carried out a mission to rope in regional countries through the newly launched Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).
Just over a year ago, ASEAN released its mid-term review of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025. The review reported that 54.1 percent of the document’s line items had been completed, with another 34.2 percent in progress. The grouping was lauded for having made “notable advancements” towards economic integration, though it also encouraged to “accelerate [its] pace of implementation”.
The move by seven Asean states to sign up for Washington’s new trade pact, even as few details about the deal are known, is not only a signal of support for US re-engagement with the region but a bid to better ensure the balance of power in the neighbourhood, analysts say.
Cambodia’s export of garments, textiles and footwear to South Korea is poised to go up following the Cambodia-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) which was signed into law by the government in January this year. The agreement is expected to be ratified in June.
Ways of optimising the incentives and increasing the efficiency of seafood exports to the Regional Economic Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) market will take centre stage during a consulting session held on seafood exports to the potential market.
Malaysia will halt the export of chicken from June 1 as the country faces a shortage of chicken along with a soaring price.
FOREIGN business chambers on Monday again urged the Senate to ratify the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement before a new set of legislators takes office in July.
Prime Minister Hun Sen said as the rotating Chair of ASEAN, Cambodia will focus on the ASEAN recovery and the enhancement of ASEAN to be more competitive and vibrant.
<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
