The meeting, which is likely to be the last one at this level, is expected to work out the unresolved issues in the negotiations on the mega trade deal that is to be concluded later this year. AdvertisingThe Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a trade deal that is currently under negotiation among 16 countries — the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the six countries with which the ASEAN bloc has free trade agreements (FTA). Pharmaceuticals and cotton yarn are confident of gains, and the services industry too, may have new opportunities. There is fear that some domestic sectors may be hit by cheaper alternatives from other RCEP countries. India’s trade gap with these countries may widen if it signs the RCEP deal, they say.

Source: Indian Express October 10, 2019 22:02 UTC