Very pleased that a deal on the Trans-Pacific Partnership has been reached in Atlanta, after more than 5 years of negotiations. This is a historic moment.
The TPP is an ambitious free trade agreement. It covers twelve major economies in the Asia Pacific, including the US, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia, Mexico and Peru. Our exporters will have better market access to these countries, and investors can expect a more open and level playing field. The agreement will open up more opportunities for SMEs in TPP countries, and make it easier for them to do business. In the long run, our people will enjoy greater prosperity and more jobs.
My thanks to the US for their leadership, and to all our TPP partners for their hard work to bring these negotiations to a close. Hoping for a swift ratification of the agreement. – LHL
(Ministers from the 12 TPP countries announcing the deal. Minister Lim Hng Kiang could not go because of new Cabinet swearing in, so Singapore was ably represented by Mr Lee Ark Boon, Deputy Secretary in MTI/ Photo courtesy of MTI)
