ISDS Case Map
RCEP
Sri Lanka is accelerating its efforts to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world’s largest free trade agreement, as the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to complete and submit the initial questionnaire required for accession.
Bangladesh begins a critical gap analysis of its economic strengths for aligning its trade policies with protocols of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) for joining the world's largest trade bloc.
This episode unpacks the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, world’s largest free trade agreement, and the dangerous push to insert the Investor-State Dispute Settlement mechanism into its investment chapter.
Member states of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership are planning a comprehensive review of the agreement in 2027 to maintain its relevance in a dynamic global economy.
At the 14th Asian Business Summit in Manila, 12 economic business stressed their interests in strengthening FTAs, promoting green transformation with diverse energy pathways, fostering innovation driven by AI and startups, and developing human resources to boost regional competitiveness. The summit advocates maintaining a rules-based international economic order and reforming the WTO.
New Zealand has firmly opposed including Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, which covers 15 Asia-Pacific countries.
Malaysian CSOs have urged the government to reject the inclusion of the ISDS clause in the RCEP agreement. They warn that ISDS allows foreign investors to sue governments over policies safeguarding public interests like health, workers, and the environment, potentially leading to costly legal battles and large payouts detrimental to national budgets.
Bangladesh now gears up drives for striking free-trade deals, with negotiations underway with a couple of countries, as the country prepares for post-graduation trade sans tariff concessions.
Civil society organisations from the 15 member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), call upon RCEP governments to continue to exclude Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) from the RCEP.
Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan revealed that Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong are interested in joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which currently has 15 members after India withdrew due to concerns over its trade imbalance with China.
