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US eyes free trade pact with SE Asia countries
11-Oct-2009 Arab Times
The United States is beginning to lay the initial groundwork for talks to forge a free trade agreement with Southeast Asia, ahead of President Barack Obama’s maiden trip to the region.
EU, Egypt to further liberalise agri-trade ties
11-Oct-2009 Arabian Business
The European Union’s Council of Ministers on Saturday confirmed the signing of an agreement with Egypt aimed at greater liberalisation of reciprocal trade in agricultural products, processed agricultural products and fish and fishery products.
We need to be more careful in future
11-Oct-2009
It is normal for trade agreements to have a political overtone. The Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) initiated by the USA during the 1990s are a good example of this. Its FTAs with Caribbean, South American, North American and African countries covered ‘substantially all the trade’ as required under the WTO norms, but in practice they were all textile-centric , providing for duty-free import of apparel products manufactured out of raw materials obtained from the USA.
NGOs welcome EU’s vow not to push Africa into EPAs
11-Oct-2009
Non-governmental organisations have expressed their satisfaction at the European Commission’s declaration that it would not put "undue pressure" on African and other countries to conclude the controversial trade deals called economic partnership agreements (EPAs).
Canada lacks EU preferential trade deal
11-Oct-2009
In 2008, when Irish citizens were first asked to vote on the Lisbon Treaty, seen as a key to revitalizing the European Union by giving it more of the power now wielded by its member states, they responded with a definite No. They bought the argument that this would erode Irish sovereignty.
Comesa Compensates Country for Losses Resulting From EAC Integration
11-Oct-2009
In a move to compensate revenue losses accrued by Rwanda as a result of having a common external tariff after the adoption of the EAC customs union protocol, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) will disburse €10.3 million (Frw 8.8 billion) through budget support for the fiscal year 2009/10.
Lugar to introduce legislation on free trade with ASEAN
11-Oct-2009
An influential Republican Senator has announced to introduce a legislation in US Senate next week for free trade agreement negotiations between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
RECALCA: On the territorial minga de pensamiento, Toez, Cauca
10-Oct-2009 Red Colombiana de Acción Frente al Libre Comercio, Recalca
Between the 28th and 30th of September, hundreds of indigenous peoples from the Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca (ACIN), Colombia, met to debate the environmental, territorial and economic situation in Latin America, Colombia, and in their own communities.
South India farmers against WTO and FTAs
10-Oct-2009
We resolve to form South Indian Coordination Committee of Farmers Movements (SICCFM) to oppose and struggle against the WTO and the FTAs which liberalize our agriculture and facilitate the takeover of Indian agriculture by the corporations and force the Indian farmers to quit agriculture or commit suicide.
Claim by Cargill leads to another loss for Mexico
9-Oct-2009 IISD
Mexico has suffered another loss in a series of investor-state arbitral disputes involving its sugar industry.
Germany urges Namibia to sign EPA
9-Oct-2009 New Era
Germany this week urged Namibia to sign the contentious Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EPA) as the deadline for the controversial trade agreement draws closer.
EU FTA would increase trade by $98.4 billion
8-Oct-2009
A free trade agreement between Korea and the European Union will eventually increase bilateral trade by about 20 percent if it is fully implemented, British Business Secretary Peter Mandelson estimated yesterday.
India, Thailand set to expand FTA
8-Oct-2009
Enthused by the likely gains from the recently signed ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), India and Thailand are all set to expand their FTA pact beyond goods to new areas of services and investments with focus on further consolidating their economic ties.
’FTA concerns will be addressed’: PM
6-Oct-2009 The Economic Times
Kerala’s farmers and political leaders petition India’s Prime Minister on concerns over the India-ASEAN FTA
Ad Hoc Committee confirms Argentina is on the hook to Azurix for US$165 Million
6-Oct-2009 IISD
Marking a final setback for Argentina in its protracted dispute with US-based water services firm Azurix Corp, on 1 September 2009 an ad hoc committee denied Argentina’s application to annul an ICSID tribunal’s previous decision awarding Azurix approximately US$165 Million for breach of Argentina’s obligations under the US-Argentina Bilateral Investment Treaty.
Nepal’s trade with India Preferential treatment overview
5-Oct-2009
The Nepal-India Trade Treaty of 1996 came into limelight in the wake of the periodical review of the treaty recently. The treaty marked a milestone in Nepal-India trade ties leading virtually to free trade between the two countries.
RP, European officials meet to fine-tune framework pact
5-Oct-2009
Officials representing the Philippines and European Union will meet today to discuss a revised draft of a framework agreement that will govern the two economies’ relations which will pave the way for a free trade deal.
Indonesia Seeks Opportunity From Expanding Asean, Bilateral FTAs
5-Oct-2009
Indonesia is upbeat on its growing trade with China, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand following plans to set up Free Trade Area (FTA) pacts with those countries under the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (Asean) agreement and by bilateral agreements, a senior official at the Indonesian Trade Ministry said here on Monday.
Case for NZ-US free trade deal to be nudged along
5-Oct-2009 New Zealand Radio
The case for a free trade agreement with the United States will get another nudge this week when more than 100 leaders from both countries will take part in discussion hosted by the United States-New Zealand Partnership Forum on strengthening the economic relationship.
Malaysia plans to start FTA talks with GCC countries
5-Oct-2009 Business Times
Malaysia hopes to start negotiations for a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries this week.