U.S., S'pore to hold talks

U.S., S'pore to hold talks

SINGAPORE (DPA): The United States and Singapore announced on Thursday agreement to hold a third round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, brushing aside concerns from Malaysia that such pacts could jeopardize the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).

The talks will be held in the city-state on May 21-26, said the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and technical discussions will be held in advance.

"The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will reinforce the already strong commercial and political ties between the two countries, contribute to regional and global trade liberalization, and strengthen the partnership across the Pacific," the ministry's statement said.

The two countries remain committed to concluding a comprehensive FTA that will increase the flow of trade and investments, it added.