Dhaka, Sept. 24 -- Bangladesh's push to join the world's largest free trade bloc moved a step closer after trade ministers of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) gave final approval to set up an ad hoc Accession Working Group to fast-track the entry of four applicant economies, the Commerce Ministry said on Thursday.

The decision was taken at the 5th RCEP Ministers' Meeting in Manila, the Philippines, the ministry said in a press release. At the September 21 meeting, ministers formally endorsed a recommendation made by the RCEP Joint Committee.

Apart from Bangladesh, the applicants are Chile, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.

A joint statement issued after the meeting said the RCEP agreement remains committed to an open and ...