TPP possible by early next year: PM Lee

Beijing

WITH some "technical issues" still being ironed out, the proposed regional free-trade Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) may not be concluded by the end of this year. But early next year is still within reach, says Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long.

If that projection materialises, the 12-country TPP may kick off ahead of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is expected to conclude by the end of 2015.

"We have undertaken much work on the TPP and it's now down to a few issues that are not resolved yet. These are more complex issues, but we all know that this is the last 100 metres and we need to push harder," Mr Lee said at a dialogue session during C…