ARTICLES

27 Oct 2025

Advancing RCEP Integration: Forging a More Resilient and Inclusive Economic Future

Tham Siew Yean

The potential of RCEP can only be unlocked when micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, which constitute the backbone of the ASEAN economies, can navigate and utilise its provisions with ease.

7 Jul 2022

‘Tell the RCEP Story Well’: The Salience of RCEP in China’s Global Discourse

Hoang Thi Ha

China has gone to extensive lengths to underscore the tangible benefits arising from its participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. But Beijing’s criticism of the United States as being anti-globalist is overdone.

ASEAN ASEAN-China Relations ASEAN-U.S. Relations China RCEP

17 Mar 2022

Reaping the Benefits of RCEP: From Utilisation to Exports

Tham Siew Yean

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has come into force, but member countries have their work cut out for them in seeking to raise utilisation rates and exports.

Asean Trade International Trade RCEP

18 Feb 2022

The CLMV Countries and RCEP: Will They Grasp the Opportunities?

Jayant Menon

Like all members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam will enjoy preferential access to the expansive region’s markets. As the least developed members, however, they will have to undergo the greatest changes in reforming their tariff and non-tariff policies to meet the requirements of this modern agreement.

ASEAN CLMV RCEP

15 Feb 2022

Harnessing RCEP to Harvest ASEAN’s Unicorns

Tham Siew Yean

Can regional free trade agreements facilitate further development of start-ups and unicorns in ASEAN? The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement does just that by providing an expanded regional market, bolstering protection of intellectual property and enhancing rules in services and e-commerce.

Asean Trade RCEP Technology

27 Jan 2022

Malaysia’s Ratification of the RCEP: Necessary but not Sufficient

Tham Siew Yean

Malaysia's ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership is a step in the right direction, but there are still barriers to foreign direct investment in services which can be rolled back.

International Trade Malaysia Malaysian Economy RCEP

13 Dec 2021

Omicron: Threat to ASEAN’s Trade Recovery

Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy

The new Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus could impact trade in goods and services in ASEAN economies due to increased travel restrictions and the risk of more lockdowns.

Asean Trade COVID-19 Open Borders RCEP Southeast Asia

28 Sep 2021

Ratifying the RCEP to Reset Malaysia’s Economy

Tham Siew Yean

Malaysia needs to move fast to ratify two free trade deals to reset its economy, which has been impacted by political instability and the Covid-19 pandemic. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership is a priority.

Asean Trade Malaysia Malaysian Economy RCEP