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Portugal expects FTA to bolster EU-GCC trade ties
Buoyed by a big surge in exports to Dubai, Portugal said on Thursday that it expects to significantly boost its trade with the GCC after the conclusion of a long-awaited free-trade agreement between the European Union and the GCC.
ICSID: Ecuador Unlawfully Seized U.S. Firm’s Oil Investments
The World Bank’s International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes has handed down a ruling against the Ecuadorian government, finding that it “unlawfully expropriated” U.S. firm Burlington Resources’ investments in two oil blocks.
Information gap holding back EAC integration
Lack of public information on the operations of the East Africa Community has been blamed for the slow integration among member states.
LDP needs to placate internal foes to TPP entry
After regaining power in Sunday’s general election, the Liberal Democratic Party now faces the challenge of reaching internal consensus on whether Japan should join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks.
TPP decision may come before upper house vote
A decision on whether Japan will join the Trans-Pacific Partnership multilateral free-trade talks could come before the House of Councillors election next summer, which is considered the deadline for declaring participation in the talks, according to observers.
Expert proposes Taiwan-South Korea FTA
Taiwan should deepen trade talks with China and work to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea to race against the upcoming China-Japan-South Korea FTA negotiations, an expert on East Asia said Thursday.
EAC growth model questioned
When the treaty establishing the East African Community (EAC) came into force on July 7, 2000, the main goal was to widen and deepen cooperation for the mutual benefit in economic, political, social and cultural affairs.
EAC calls for fair trade deals with Europe
East Africa Community says any agreement reached should not upset the common market protocol and customs union in the region.
Time for an EU-PHL free trade deal — ECCP
The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) on Thursday said it is committed to support a Philippine-European Union free trade agreement, which it expects to possibly come about in the next three years.
Asean services pact talks concluded
India and the Asssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the 10-member regional grouping, moved closer on Thursday to completing a bilateral trade pact, by finalising a free trade agreement (FTA) on services and investments. They are expected to sign the pact in August 2013.
Vietnam’s president hopes for swift conclusion of free trade talks with S. Korea
Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang voiced hope for a swift conclusion of negotiations with South Korea on forging a bilateral free trade deal but noted that an agreement should take each other’s interests into consideration.
ASEAN, India conclude FTA talks on services, investment
The 10-member Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) concluded a long-bargained free trade agreement (FTA) with India on services and investment on Wednesday ahead of a two-day commemorative summit in New Delhi, India.
Chinese practice of foreign investment protection: Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs)
Due to the dispute over sovereignty of the Diaoyu Islands between China and Japan, large-scale anti-Japanese demonstrations occurred in several Chinese cities around Sep 18, 2012, resulting in Japanese corporate losses of lost about $125 million, according the Japanese government. Japan says the Chinese government should compensate.
EU provides legal certainty to bilateral investment agreements
With foreign direct investment now being an exclusive European Union (EU) competence under the Lisbon Treaty, the European Commission (EC) has welcomed the adoption by the European Parliament and Council of a new Regulation on bilateral investment agreements, which was first proposed in 2010.
India-Israel FTA: Next round of talks in January
India and Israel will hold in January another round of negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement, a move which would increase bilateral commerce and investment between the countries, Parliament was informed today.
Asean-India FTA likely to be finalised at summit
The long awaited Free Trade Agreement between Asean and India in the services and investment sectors will most likely be finalised at a summit in New Delhi this week.
EU in major free trade deal with Singapore
The EU and Singapore have clinched a free-trade agreement (FTA) - the second such deal between the 27-nation bloc and a major Asian trading partner.
President Mahama wants better EPA deal for ACP countries
President John Dramani Mahama has described as unfortunate, the deadlines set for the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA), explaining that it will adversely impact the economies and trade systems of other nations.
Rumpf bemoans EPA support in Brussels
Ambassador to Belgium, Hanno Rumpf, has expressed concern over the lack of support from developmental partners in Europe when it comes to economic partnership agreement (EPA) at the European Union (EU) Council in Brussels.
TPP traps - we need to know the costs as well as the gains
I’m not an economist, but I do understand what a net loss or a net gain is. Most people will be familiar with the concept - at the end of the day, are you better or worse off? To figure that one out you need to know what you’ve brought in, and what you’ve paid out.