The year 2017 sees the Association of South-east Asian Nations celebrate its 50th anniversary. And there is indeed much to celebrate. But just as importantly, the 50th anniversary is also a moment to think about the future of the region and what lies ahead
Representatives of Hungary on Monday met here with their Philippine counterparts and ink several trade and economic agreements, putting the bilateral relationship between the two countries to a “new dimension.”
While the EU is a unique experiment in integration in many ways, the world abounds in other kinds of regional trade agreements; the World Trade Organization records more than 635. Still, as the most advanced form of market integration in the world, the EU provides a good model for other regions, including Asia.
VOA Khmer recently spoke with Asean Secretary-General Le Luong Minh about Asean’s commitment to global trade, and the progress and pitfalls of integration.
Japan yesterday cautioned against haste in the conclusion of the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) stressing “substance is more important than timing.”
Vietnam and Singapore pledged here Thursday to boost free trade, and continue joining regional initiatives including ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).
ASEAN's 10 members have fashioned a single market and liberalized trade with Japan, the U.S., Europe, India and Australia. But the U.S., long the standard-bearer for free trade, has turned inward with the advent of the Trump administration. The latest G-20 statement has underlined ASEAN's fears.
East Asia continues to sustain a high level of economic integration, yet a significant proportion of intraregional trade is still uncovered by agreements to guard against current and possible future protectionism. Without multilateral movement under the World Trade Organization, further regional integration can proceed only through agreements that reduce trade barriers within the region
<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
