Sunday, 19:41, 03/01/2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has cast a long shadow and created uncertainty over the global economy. The signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), however, offers a beacon of hope, as it marks a victory for multilateralism and free trade regionally and globally.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (left) and Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh, together with leaders of other RCEP member countries, witness the pact signing via videoconference on November 15
After eight years of negotiations, ASEAN and five of its partners finished an enormous workload to successfully conclude the deal, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at the signing ceremony, which took place on November 15 within the framework of the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings hosted virtually by Vietnam.