Round 3 of trade negotiations of 16 Asia-Pacific countries

Sixteen Asia-Pacific countries have begun the third round of free trade negotiations with the agenda focusing on tax-related issues, Kyodo reported on January 21.

Negotiation round between representatives of RECAP countries. Source: VNA

During the four-day meeting, negotiators from the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and six regional partners, including Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, will hold expert group meetings to discuss trade in goods, trade in services and investment.

Negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) framework aim to create one of the world's largest free trade areas, accounting for nearly 30% of global gross domestic product, half of the world's population and more than a quarter of the world's exports.

RCEP negotiating partners are expected to complete their negotiations in 2015.

According to Vietnam+