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Asean deal hits dual hurdle
23-Feb-2009 Telegraph
The Indian government is likely to delay the free trade deal with Asean to avoid criticism of failing to protect producers during the slowdown.
Human Rights and Bilateral Investment Treaties: Mapping the role of human rights law within investor-state arbitration
21-Feb-2009 Rights and Democracy
Profiles a series of lawsuits that have arisen between foreign investors and their host states — where state compliance with investment treaty obligations is in question and where human rights concerns have resulted from investment projects.
Revised laws ’could promote biopiracy’ in Peru
21-Feb-2009 Eco Earth
Modifications to intellectual property laws that the Peruvian government "rushed through" to enable the go-ahead of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Peru and the United States could facilitate biopiracy and hamper Peru’s position as a protector of traditional knowledge, say experts.
S Korea finds economic breakthrough opportunities in FTAs
20-Feb-2009 Xinhua
South Korea’s chief free trade negotiator said free trade is essential to break through the current economic slump, South Korea’s Korea Herald said Friday.
India, New Zealand keen for early FTA talks
20-Feb-2009 Business Standard
India and New Zealand today agreed for an early commencement of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations subject to the approval process of the two countries.
Zardari to sign FTA with China, seek support from hydro projects
20-Feb-2009 Times of India
China and Pakistan plan to sign a free trade agreement on trade and services during the four-day visit of Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari to Hubei and Shanghai beginning tomorrow.
EU, Andean Nations struggle forward in trade talks
20-Feb-2009 ICTSD
Intellectual property, a potential regional customs union, human rights, and bananas triggered heated debate last week in Bogota during the first round of negotiations toward a free trade agreement between the European Union and Andean nations Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
China FTA needed: Crean
19-Feb-2009
China needs to come back to the table on a free trade agreement with Australia to improve the investment climate between the two countries, says Trade Minister Simon Crean.
South Centre cautions African countries when approaching Economic Partnership Agreements
19-Feb-2009 South Centre
The value of the preferences African countries will reap from an EPA will essentially become nil in about 5 to 10 years.
The complex relationship between governments and movements: Autonomy or new forms of domination?
19-Feb-2009 CIP Americas Program
Chavez’s rise to power was the result of a long process of struggle from the bottom-up that initiated with caracazo of Feb. 1989—the first massive popular insurrection against neoliberalism. It has now led to crisis in the party system, which supported domination by the elite for decades.
Syria keen to sign Association Agreement with EU, Minister of Economy says
19-Feb-2009 SANA
Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Hosni Lutfi underlined Tuesday that Syria is interested in signing the Syrian-European Association Agreement and joining the World Trade Organization because this will help accelerate the economic reform program in the country.
Australia, Indonesia discuss free trade
19-Feb-2009 9News
Australia and Indonesia are tipped to give the green light to talks on a free trade deal as ministers from both countries gather in Sydney to consider ways to enhance already strong ties.
S Korea, EU free trade talks delayed
19-Feb-2009 Xinhua
South Korea and the European Union (EU) agreed to delay their upcoming free trade talks by two to three weeks, South Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon said Wednesday.
Downturn may force India to postpone trade pact with Asean
19-Feb-2009 Live Mint
The unexpected setback to exports and the associated problem of domestic unemployment may yet spike the government’s plans to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), a powerful trade block of 10 countries.
“Forget about the Colombian FTA!”
19-Feb-2009 Semana
Interview with Steven Pearlstein, business columnist from the Washington Post and winner of a Pulitzer Prize for having predicted the economic crisis
Strong EU trade provisions on IP seen as threat to poor nations’ medicines access
19-Feb-2009 IP Watch
Efforts by the European Union to insert strong provisions on pharmaceutical patents in free trade agreements it is negotiating with India, Colombia, Peru and ASEAN could imperil access to medicines in developing countries, global public health activists have alleged.
EU Trade Commissioner pushes for economic integration with African nations
19-Feb-2009 ICTSD
EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton visited several nations in Southern Africa last week, where she held talks with key governmental leaders. Although the general purpose of the trip was to promote bilateral and regional trade relations, Ashton also hoped to make progress on a potential Economic Partnership Agreement, or EPA, between members of the South African Development Community (SADC) and the European Union.
Vietnam has plenty of opportunity to boost seafood exports to Japan
19-Feb-2009 QDND
Japan is intensifying the import of tuna and various kinds of fish from Vietnam. Since other aquiculture export markets are drying up, many Vietnamese businesses are shifting the focus onto Japan.
‘EPA accord with EU’ll stifle Nigeria’s growth’
18-Feb-2009 This Day
Switzerland-based intergovernmental organisation, South Centre, has warned Nigeria and other African nations that the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) being proposed by the European Union (EU) will eliminate the capacity of African nations to industrialise within five to 10 years of signing the agreement.
China’s latest geopolitical assault on Latin American commodities and bilateral trade
18-Feb-2009 COHA
Two key figures in Chinese politics embarked on a tour of Latin American countries on February 9, in a sign that the Asian superpower is intent on consolidating its already substantial stake in the region.