Member countries of the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership free-trade framework are aiming to conclude the deal next year, according to a draft joint statement Nikkei obtained on Thursday. Several Asian member countries of the proposed RCEP have offered India a significant concession on the extent to which it needs to open up its markets, in a bid to encourage it to join the partnership quickly, according to The Hindu. The US-China trade dispute has helped to intensify the negotiations of RCEP, according to Malaysia’s International Trade and Industry Ministry deputy secretary general Norazman Ayob.