Ministers in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade talks have failed to meet a deadline to strike a deal this year.
The trade ministers from 12 Pacific Rim countries ended 4-day talks in Singapore on Tuesday.
They said in a joint statement that although they made substantive progress and the participating countries confirmed common ground on unsolved issues, they will continue to work flexibly on outstanding ones.
The statement says a high-level, ambitious agreement will be important for the nations in promoting economic growth and creating jobs.
It says the ministers will meet again next month, following additional work by negotiators.
Source: NewsOnJapan
