The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (“RCEP") Agreement is a Free Trade Agreement (“FTA”) between 15 countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam, Australia, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, and New Zealand.
It is the world’s largest FTA, comprising about 30% of global GDP and about a third of the world’s population.
RCEP negotiations were formally launched at the 2012 ASEAN Summit in Cambodia and the Agreement was signed on 15 November 2020. The quorum for entry into force was met in November 2021.
The RCEP Agreement entered into force on 1 January 2022 for ten participating countries (Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Japan, Lao PDR, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam). It has also entered into force for South Korea (1 February), Myanmar (4 March) and Malaysia (18 March). It will enter into force for the remaining participating countries 60 days after they have deposited their instrument of ratification with the Depositary.
- Minister Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Trade and Industry
