Asean 2017 Economic Ministers chairman and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez again called on all Asean member countries to make an effort to open up at least 92 percent of their markets to zero tariff as part of their commitment to partially conclude the discussions on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
“What is ideal for every member is 99 percent. But we’re open to have them all level up to 92 percent so we can also advance the discussions on RCEP,” he said before he left for the Asean meet in Bangkok Wednesday.
The Philippines and several Asean members have already reached 90 percent to 92 percent product inclusion.
Lopez stressed that the creation of RCEP was imperative because of many opportunities.
He said ASEAN should aim to communicate its programs and priorities to the region’s citizens, and provide them with the right platform to know how they could contribute to economic growth.