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US/Korean trade nonsense has to stop
6-Aug-2007 Cattle Network
Korea should continue to reject the occasional box of beef — the containers of boneless meat that accidentally contain bones or spinal material — and let the rest go through. Their buying public can make the decision about the quality of the product. At the same time, American beef packers should continue to work on their quality control procedures and get it right before the KORUS FTA is finalized.
Implementation of RI-Japan EPA to begin in November
6-Aug-2007 Antara News
The Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) which is scheduled to be signed by the two countries` heads of governemnts on August 20 is expected to begin to be implemented in November, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said on Friday.
Our health care workers are not for sale - Junk JPEPA now!
5-Aug-2007 IMC Manila
Instead of addressing the longstanding issues of health workers such as inadequate pay, poor working conditions and lack of opportunities in the Philippines, the JPEPA will only give another reason for the government to push with its labor export policy as a measure to boost the economy through strong remittance flows.
Pacific: Getting the private sector in
3-Aug-2007 Islands Business
This is the first time that members of the major business sector and representatives of private sector organisations from all 14 Pacific Forum Islands Countries will be coming together with regional ministers and senior policy officials to discuss major strategic business issues that face the region.
India, Lanka trade pact by October
3-Aug-2007 Economic Times
India and Sri Lanka have decided to sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by October this year for augmenting mutual trade and investment, Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh said Thursday.
Korea halts clearance of US beef
3-Aug-2007 Chosun Ilbo
Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on Wednesday suspended quarantine inspections of all US beef imports after again finding banned vertebral bones in a shipment
EC backs down on Pacific aid conditionality threat
3-Aug-2007
The EC’s Head of Delegation to the Pacific has sent to the Pacific EPA negotiating team a letter dated Friday 3 August that states Pacific Trade Ministers have misinterpreted an earlier EC communication and there is no conditionality that would reduce the EDF funds available to the Pacific if the region does not sign an EPA.
Pacific free trade idea is misguided
3-Aug-2007 The National
A free trade agreement covering the Pacific region is unlikely to be worth the paper it is written on as far as Papua New Guinea is concerned.
Morocco invites Pakistan to export textiles under FTA
3-Aug-2007 Daily Times
Pakistani entrepreneurs should take advantage of Morocco’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with USA and European Union, particularly in the textile and readymade garments, Morocco Ambassador Mohammed Rida El Fassi said.
Private sector urges restraint in signing EPA agreement
3-Aug-2007 Vanguard
Nigerian captains of commerce and industry have warned that the proposed trade agreements are not in the best interest of the growth of industry in the country.
African nations to sign parts of EU trade deal
2-Aug-2007 Reuters
The European Union and east African countries thrashing out a new but contentious trade deal will sign parts of it by a Dec. 31 deadline even if all is not ready by then, a Kenyan trade official said on Wednesday.
The Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA): Surrendering sovereignty and development
2-Aug-2007 IBON
JPEPA is undoubtedly beneficial — for big Japanese corporations and elite corporate interests in the Philippines, not for the Filipino people.
Pacific trade ministers protest EC aid threat in EPA talks
2-Aug-2007
Pacific Trade Ministers have responded to a threat by the EC to cut development aid funds to the region if the Pacific does not conclude the EPA by the end of the year. In a strongly worded letter to the EC Commissioner for Development, they stated they would “not accept the EC imposing this linkage on the RIP with respect to the EPA.”
EC threatens to withhold aid funds over EPA
2-Aug-2007
Just before the Pacific ACP Trade Ministers Meeting opened in Vanuatu on 31 July 2007, the Deputy Head of the Pacific desk in the EC’s DG Development sent the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat an email that stated the Pacific’s allocation of the European Development Fund would be cut by 48% if it does not sign up to an EPA and by 26% if a goods-only agreement is concluded.
Chilean legislature approves free trade agreement with Japan
2-Aug-2007 Servihoo
The Chilean legislature late Tuesday approved a free trade agreement with Japan that will likely be signed into law when President Michelle Bachelet’s visits Tokyo in September.
Arroyo trade-pact pitch with Japan nixed
1-Aug-2007 Inquirer
Independent think-tank group IBON Foundation scoffed at President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s call for the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to conclude a regional free-trade agreement with Japan despite strong protests against the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
Beware Europeans bearing gifts
1-Aug-2007 WNSC
After the emerging disaster of CAFTA, Central American countries recently launched into a new round of trade negotiations, this time with the European Union.
Shut down the NZ-US Partnership Forum, Sept. 7-11
1-Aug-2007 Infoshop News
Between the 9th and 11th of September, 2007, Auckland will host the second annual "United States-New Zealand Partnership Forum". We intend to protest and if possible shut down this forum and disrupt the related activities and events.
’EPA is terrorism act’
1-Aug-2007 GBF
The EU is doing almost everything possible, both legally and illegally, to get the EPA signed, according to Kwabena Okai Ofosuhene of the Abibimman Foundation in Ghana. “It is very unfortunate and sad that there are key elements within the ECOWAS Commission who are working secretly to enable the EU achieve this.”
Pacific Forum admits problems sealing a Economic Partnership Agreement
1-Aug-2007 Radio Fiji
The Pacific Forum has for the first time publicly admitted there have been problems in sealing an Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.