The latest round of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks have begun in New Zealand, as negotiators seek to conclude a deal in 2013.

500 negotiators have arrived in Auckland for the discussions, which run from December 3-12. Eleven countries - Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and the US - are now involved in the talks, which aim at establishing a comprehensive free trade agreement across the region.

This is the first gathering at which Canada and Mexico will take a formal part in the negotiations, having joined the TPP in October.

The TPP market represents more than 658m people and a combined GDP of USD21 trillion. Issues under negotiation include customs, cross-border services, government procurement, telecommunications, competition policy, small and medium-sized enterprises, competitiveness and business facilitation, and cooperation and capacity building.

Seven of the TPP leaders met in Cambodia last month to express a common interest in concluding a high-quality deal in 2013.

December 3, 2012

Source: Tax News