ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
The Future of Asia 2023

Sri Lanka will apply to join RCEP trade bloc, Wickremesinghe says

President says Asian countries resisting pressure to take sides between U.S., China

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe speaks at Nikkei's Future of Asia conference in Tokyo on May 25. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)

TOKYO -- Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe said he intends to apply for membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade bloc, as his South Asian country strives to rebuild its crisis-hit economy.

Wickremesinghe told Nikkei's Future of Asia forum on Thursday that Sri Lanka would look to join RCEP "with the aim of achieving a higher level of economic liberalization." Sri Lanka had recently mooted the prospect of joining.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more