On 15 November 2020, 15 nations (the 10 ASEAN countries, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea) signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The clamour around India’s decision to walk away from the mega trade deal was loud. But the trading bloc has kept the door open for India to return to the negotiating table.
The Philippines is hopeful negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea will be concluded within the first quarter of 2021.
The prospect of the ASEAN-Russia ties was at centre of attention at a recent round-table conference held by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC).
Upon the UK’s exit from the European Union in January 2020, it entered into an 11-month transition period ending on 31 December 2020. In readiness for this window coming to a close, the UK has been actively seeking trade deals in order to secure its new trading position. On 10 December 2020, the UK and Singapore signed a free trade agreement (UKSFTA) which aims to continue trade relations between the UK and Singapore post-Brexit.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Ukraine Nguyen Hong Thach recent paid a working visit to the Ukraine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI), with both sides using the meeting to exchange views on a range of measures that can help to promote economic, trade, and investment co-operation between both sides moving forward.
INDIA and Vietnam have signed seven agreements to boost cooperation in various fields including defence, renewable energy and petrochemicals.
Cambodia and Singapore have appreciated their strong relations and good bilateral cooperation in all sectors.
The year 2020 is supposed to be an ambitious year for regional trade pacts.
<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
