Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has called for formal cooperation between the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to enhance global trade and uphold a rules-based trading system.
Speaking at the ASEAN-China-GCC Economic Forum 2025 on Tuesday, Wong emphasized that collaboration between these two significant blocs would promote economic and trade exchanges, benefiting all parties involved.
“This accounts for a significant portion of the global economy,” Wong said, noting that RCEP and GCC combined represent about 35 percent of global GDP. “If we can promote trade and investment between the two groups, it would yield substantial benefits for all parties.”
The RCEP includes 15 countries: the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), along with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. The GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain.
With the global environment becoming increasingly uncertain, Wong urged ASEAN and the GCC to strengthen their linkages. “In this turbulent world, it’s imperative that we bolster our connections to ensure stability and prosperity,” he said.
