RCEP trade negotiations will not be over by 2018, says Suresh Prabhu

Recently concluded talks in Singapore have identified 'early deliverables', but don't address all issues

Negotiations on the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will not be over by the end of this year as had earlier been announced. 

This is because discussions on tariff reduction remain unfinished and member nations differ on trade in services, investment and other issues. 

However, RCEP nations have decided to set tariff reduction goals through “bilateral pairing”, meaning extensive one-on-one consultations.

Nations will also submit updated offers on the services trade by October 5, before the next round of discussions take place in October in Auckland.

"RCEP negotiations will not end this year. This has been agreed upon at