Asean to upgrade free trade deals

Top-level talks: (From left) Laos’ Industry and Commerce Vice-Minister Khemmani Pholsena, Mustapa, China’s Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng and Philippine Secretary of Trade and Industry Gregory L. Domingo at the 14th AEM-MOFCOM Consultation.

KUALA LUMPUR: Asean will upgrade its free trade deals with China, Japan and South Korea as the region looks to its East Asian partners for a boost amid current external economic uncertainties.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said Asean had existing free trade agreements (FTAs) with each of the three countries but would like to upgrade them to spur trade growth.