ID :
376354
Wed, 08/05/2015 - 06:50
Auther :

TPP To Deepen US Trade Ties With ASEAN, Says Kerry

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah SINGAPORE, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- The US will continue to work with its partners to promote a stable, rules-based order for the Asia-Pacific and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will spur momentum in that effort, said its Secretary of State John Kerry. For example, he said, the TPP was helping to deepen US trade relations with ASEAN members as they prepared to launch the ambitious ASEAN Economic Community later this year. "And that's going to be good for the US and for the region. It’s good for our trading partners," he said in his address, 'America and the Asia-Pacific: Partners in Prosperity' here Tuesday as part of his one-day state visit to the republic. Kerry said TPP was about a lot more than just creating economic opportunities, and this was really important to focus on. He said it was about raising standards and this agreement initiated a race to the top, not a race to the bottom. Kerry said under this pact, every participant would have to comply with core international labour and environmental standards. "They will have to refrain from using under-age workers and unsafe workplaces and ensure state-owned companies are actually competing fairly with ones that are privately-owned," he said. Kerry said because major economies were committing to TPP's high standards, its influence would be felt not just through the region but well beyond. "It will send a message to people within the TPP and outside of support for good governance, transparency, accountability," he said. He said the TPP was also a tangible means of demonstrating America's firm and enduring commitment to the security and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific. Meanwhile, Kerry also announced the launch of an "American Innovation Roadshow" across Asia. "That will be led by senior members of my economic team and include chief innovation and technology officers from leading US companies," he said. He said the purpose of this roadshow was to engage young entrepreneurs on how to grow their businesses. "The roadshow will also engage government officials in the region on how to create the favourable environment for entrepreneurship and innovation. "The first stop will be right here in South-East Asia," he said. Kerry departed Singapore late Tuesday to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur. --BERNAMA

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