NEGOTIATIONS between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and its economic partners under the aegis of the Asean +6 are likely to result in an agreement by November this year, the Department of Trade and Industry said.

“Hopefully a major agreement by November at the latest. We just want to give our attention here to strengthen the regional grouping of Asean and RCEP, because we want a milestone. At least during our chairmanship there’s an agreement for this new RCEP arrangement. We see the urgency and optimism,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said on Thursday.