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EU to open market fully to Palestinian exports soon
The European Commission plans to open European Union markets fully to Palestinian exports in the coming months to help strengthen the Palestinian economy, the EU trade chief said on Thursday.
Steelworkers object to free trade agreement as report reveals Colombia remains most dangerous for unionists
The International Trade Union Confederation has just announced its annual findings regarding global anti-union violence. Again, Colombia topped this list, accounting for nearly half of all the union killings in the world.
FTA implementation crucial to US pork industry
“We believe that implementation of the US free trade agreement with Korea (KORUS) is the single most important trade issue to the US pork industry,” says Nick Giordano, vice president, international affairs for the National Pork Producers Council.
US must learn some humility
The US government is accused of having double standards in its policies with Korea ― it is trying to further open the local beef market while delaying ratification of the free trade agreement (KORUS-FTA) the two signed.
New FTA policy: Everything or nothing
Unhappy with its free trade agreement (FTA) partners who backtrack on promises to amplify the scope of these agreements with liberalisation of trade in services, the government has decided not to enter into agreements unless talks on services and goods are concluded simultaneously.
Lebanon, Syria Jordan and Turkey to set up FTA
Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria agreed yesterday to set up a free trade zone based on “existing bilateral agreements and practices on free trade and visa exemption” between the parties, adding that Turkey and Lebanon were required to complete a bilateral arrangement before the four-way process could go ahead.
Israel dominates Turkey-Arab forum
Turkey’s prime minister has urged Arab nations to unite and step-up efforts to end Israel’s blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Arab Maghreb Union to accelerate setting up of free-trade area
The ninth session of trade ministers from the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) ended on Monday in Tripoli with the reaffirmation to accelerate the setting up of a free-trade area within member countries of the organization.
Aquino told: Submit RP-EU trade pact to Senate
The militant fisherfolk alliance Pamalakaya on Wednesday urged Philippine President-elect “Noynoy” Aquino to submit the approved RP-European Union Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to the Philippine Senate for deliberation.
Australian farm leaders reassure Japanese about effects of free trade deal
Masahiko Yamada, Japan’s new agriculture minister, has blogged about how the Australian free trade agreement would destroy Japanese agriculture. Australian farm industry leaders are in Tokyo trying to change his mind.
ECFA cheers, but also worries, foreign investors
Foreign investors will be able to invest in mainland China via Taiwan under the protection of the economic cooperation framework agreement, well ahead of any deal with South Korea, the Taiwanese argue.
Japan aims to finalize EPA with Korea by 2014
Japan’s new cabinet is reportedly aiming to cement financial ties with Korea by concluding an Economic Partnership Agreement or EPA by 2014.
Pakistan needs to meet SAFTA provisions: Indian envoy
Pakistan does not keep in line with the provisions of South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) concerning imports from India, said Sharat Sabharwal, High Commissioner of India during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Wednesday.
Bangla presses for free-trade deal
Bangladesh wants to hasten a free trade agreement with India to narrow the huge trade gap it suffers with its bigger neighbour.
Difference on duties blocks GCC-EU deal
Despite 98% of the issues of the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement between the GCC and EU having been successfully negotiated, the GCC’s decision to impose customs duties on EU exports remain the only sticking point, an EU source has said.
Strengthening NAFTA Ties and the Push Towards a Common Security Front‏
As a result of the demise of the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) of North America, the NAFTA trilateral relationship has suffered. This has forced many of the SPP’s objectives to be funneled through various bilateral initiatives. Some have described the Canada-Mexico partnership as a failed opportunity with Ottawa more preoccupied with U.S. concerns.
Mexico interested in signing FTA with Peru, says Foreign Minister
Mexico is interested in signing a Free Trade Agreement with Peru and maintain a fluent political dialogue between both countries, Mexico’s foreign minister Patricia Espinoza announced Tuesday, after holding a bilateral meeting with her Peruvian counterpart, José García Belaunde.
India, Sri Lanka ink pacts, discuss devolution of powers
India and Sri Lanka on Wednesday signed seven agreements and discussed devolution of powers to the provinces and opening of negotiations with Tamil groups.
Japan hardliner hits FTA hopes
Japan’s new Prime Minister has installed an eccentric arch protectionist and former beef and pork farmer in the agriculture and fisheries portfolio, dealing a blow to Australia’s hopes of finalising a free trade agreement.
Services to be liberalised
If entering into trade agreements is opening up the floodgates to bigger countries, then some in Sri Lanka do not want the flood-gates opened to India, but the government has already done so, for seven other countries besides India. CEPA is carved in stone, some claim, but it is far from reality