RCEP negotiators working to tackle unresolved issues

Representatives from 16 nations are meeting on the Indonesian island of Bali to try to resolve the last remaining obstacles to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a free-trade pact that would cover almost half of the world's population.

The meeting, which started on Tuesday, is to conclude on Feb 28. Delegates hope to reach agreement on remaining "sticking points" to pave the way to a final agreement on the RCEP.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it hopes to achieve progress on financial services and other less contentious areas while intellectual property and IT transfers remain as unresolved issues.