The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was founded in 1985 to provide members with a platform to discuss ways to improve development as well as promote trade and investment opportunities. Around 462 million people — 6.2 per cent of the world’s population — live within the 10 member states of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. But at a time when the world trading system is moving towards regional economic integration, ECO remains one of the least integrated trade organisations in the world, making up only 2.1 per cent of world trade.

India and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to the conclusion of a commercially-meaningful Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), which addresses the priorities of both sides.

The European Commission has summarized progress made during the latest round of negotiations for a trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur group of four South American countries.

The ambitious Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade pact that seemed dead in the water after the United States’ withdrawal could get a second wind, with Japan prepared to take the lead in an 11-country agreement sans the US.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence told business leaders in Seoul on Tuesday that the Trump administration will review and reform the five-year-old free trade agreement between the two countries.

After the failure of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is expected to benefit Vietnam provided that the country and the domestic business community make good preparations.

The World Trade Organisation (WTO), gives a depressing forecast of global trade in 2017. The WTO forecasts that global trade will expand by 2.4 per cent.

Việt Nam’s garment and textile exports may increase by 10 per cent this year if there are not adverse fluctuations in the global market, according to the Việt Nam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex).

China and Norway have agreed to restart free trade negotiations.

Top negotiators from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) met here Thursday on pushing forward trade in goods and services as well as investment at the 12th round of talks on a trilateral free trade agreement (FTA).