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EU lawmakers vow to block free-trade deal with ASEAN without reforms in Myanmar
The European parliament will oppose any free-trade deal between Europe and Southeast Asia unless Myanmar makes democratic reforms, visiting parliamentarians warned Friday.
Government urged to disclose contents of Asean-Japan trade deal before signing it
Disclose to the public the contents of the Asean-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement first before signing it. This was the appeal aired by the multisectoral Fair Trade Alliance (FairTrade) to the Philippine government after news broke out that negotiations between Asean member-countries and Japan have been concluded during the Asean Summit in Singapore and the agreement is now up for signing.
ASEAN leaders endorse integration blueprint
A detailed timetable seeking to establish an ASEAN Economic Community in eight years has hit the ground running, with leaders of 10 Southeast Asian countries affixing their signatures yesterday to a declaration adopting a so-called blueprint for economic integration and an attached "strategic schedule."
`Body blow to Kerala farmers`
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s remark that India will show the necessary flexibility on talks for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) is worrying farmers in Kerala.
Govt warned on EPAs
A group of civil society representatives in Uganda have warned the government against signing an Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union arguing that it will stifle the growth of local industries and frustrate the effort of local farmers.
Bend, but not backwards
The “necessary flexibility” that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said India will show in order to conclude by March the free trade agreement with the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) may not be as daunting a task as some might imagine - because the gap between the positions on the two sides does not look unbridgeable.
Country is in a Quandary Over EPAs
A Senior Research Fellow at the Botswana Institution of Development Policy Analysis (BIDPA) Dr Joel Sentsho says he hopes current negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) will yield something positive for Botswana.
South Korea Urged To Strengthen IP In EU Trade Talks
South Korea has been urged to strengthen its intellectual property rules in order to sign a free trade agreement with the European Union.
Not the time for a Canada/Colombia trade deal - Colombian bishop
A Methodist Bishop from Colombia says the Canadian government is misguided to argue that a trade deal between Canada and Colombia will help democracy and human rights and bring economic prosperity to his country.
Ukraine to start free trade talks with Israel
Ukraine plans to start free trade talks with Israel in the first quarter of 2008, President Victor Yushchenko said during his meeting with Israel’s business leaders on Thursday, according to the President`s press-office.
Disclose ASEAN-Japan deal, NGO says
The multisectoral Fair Trade Alliance (FairTrade) urges the Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila to disclose the contents of the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and other possible agreements before any signing takes place during the 11th ASEAN-Japan, 11th ASEAN-Republic of Korea and 6th ASEAN-India Summits.
Reject the JPEPA
WHEN environmentalists read news reports about Philippine and Japanese officials holding "quiet talks" to save JPEPA and "spare" Gloria Arroyo from embarrassment, they were visibly agitated. They have long voiced their opposition to the controversial pact and lobbied for its rejection by the Philippine Senate.
Why a Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement is a Big Mistake
Ten reasons why Canada should immediately stop negotiations of a free trade agreement with Colombia; the worst human rights violator in the Americas
What a vote for free trade means for the U.S.
In the 2006 elections, aspiring Democrats attacked the Bush administration’s free trade policies, and more than 20 new members of Congress were elected, giving the Democratic Party its new majority in the House of Representatives. Yet, nearly two weeks ago, Democratic Party leaders urged those same members of Congress to vote for a new free trade agreement with Peru.
Angola and Spain Sign Investment Protection Accord
The Governments of Angola and Spain Wednesday in Luanda signed an accord for reciprocal protection of investments and a memorandum of understanding, that sets a programme of financial cooperation involving two credit lines of about Usd 600 million.
U.S., Cambodian senior officials meet on trade, investment
The United States Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab met with Cambodian Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh on Wednesday in Cambodia to discuss ways to broaden and deepen bilateral trade and investment ties, said a press release.
India, Japan agree to deepen strategic partnership
India and Japan on Wednesday decided to advance the conclusion of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by mid 2008, six months ahead of previous target.
EPAs Threaten Another ’Scramble for Africa’ - Unionists
Union leaders who met in Palapye for a two-day economic workshop on trade and related issues on Friday likened trade agreements that Botswana and other African countries are entering into with Europe as a new form of colonisation.
ASEAN must make trade offer: NZ PM Clark
South-East Asian nations need to put a better offer on the table if they want a free trade deal with Australia and New Zealand, Prime Minister Helen Clark says.
Use Japan-ASEAN EPA as leverage to bolster ties
The endorsement of an economic partnership agreement between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations should be a good chance for strengthening economic relations between Japan and the regional bloc in areas such as investment and human exchanges, in addition to boosting trade.