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Korea, Peru to have FTA negotiations in March
25-Jan-2009 Korea.net
Korea and Peru agreed to hold the first round of FTA negotiations in March, the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said
EU and Central America pursue negotiations for an Association Agreement
25-Jan-2009 EC
The European Commission and Central America — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua; and Panama as observer — will meet in Brussels from 26 to 30 January 2009 for the sixth round of negotiations leading to an Association Agreement between the two regions. In addition, the Commission is announcing a €15 million aid package to support the strengthening of regional institutions in Central America and the participation of civil society in the process.
The UK tight-lipped over dispute with an Indian investor
23-Jan-2009 ITN
The United Kingdom has formally declined to release a notice of arbitration delivered by an Indian citizen under the UK-India bilateral investment treaty, explaining that it would likely “prejudice relations between the United Kingdom and an international organisation; UNCITRAL.”
EU déjà vu in the Caribbean
23-Jan-2009 The New American
Just as the European Union was sold to Europeans as a trade agreement even though it was actually a political union, so it has been sold again, this time to the islands of the Caribbean.
Canberra pins hope on Asean FTA
23-Jan-2009 Business Mirror
Canberra has expressed hopes that member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will sign a comprehensive free-trade agreement (FTA) with Australia-New Zealand—already completed—that seeks to loosen restrictions on trade and improve investments.
Free trade on table with South Korea foreign minister
23-Jan-2009 NBR
Free trade will be on the table when South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan meets his New Zealand counterpart Murray McCully this weekend. The men would consider a timeframe for starting negotiations towards a free trade agreement during talks on Sunday.
Food export potential to Korea highlighted with largest organic deal
23-Jan-2009 AFN
Hakubaku Australia has completed the largest ever export deal for Australian-made organic retail products into Korea with a $300,000 shipment of organic somen noodles to leading Korean food brand Sajo Haepyo, with the assistance of Austrade. This represents the second largest retail coverage for any Australian-made product behind Australian beef and shows the potential impacts of the proposed Australia-Korea FTA.
India, Jordan signs BIPPA
23-Jan-2009 Economic Times
A Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) between India and Jordan has come into force on Thursday.
Health protection in the Association Agreement between the European Union and the Andean Community
22-Jan-2009 HAI
This new publication from Health Action International critically reviews the European proposals on intellectual property and discusses the impact they will have on access to essential medicines in the CAN countries.
US-Malaysia FTA to be fast-tracked
22-Jan-2009 Bernama
The US-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is to be fast-tracked under the administration of the new US President Barack Obama, US Ambassador to Malaysia James R. Keith said today.
European Parliament softens position on EPA trade deals
22-Jan-2009 IPS
The European Union’s only directly elected body is demanding that a new trade deal between the bloc and Cameroon should not be applied to other countries in central Africa.
South Korea, EU fail to reach deal on free trade agreement
21-Jan-2009 Earth Times
Car imports remain a major divisive issue. The EU wants South Korea to replace all its existing regulations for European imported cars with international standards.
EU: Agrees to trade agreement with Colombia, Peru
21-Jan-2009 Stratfor
EU ministers from member states’ Fishing and Agriculture Ministries agreed to allow modifications that will enable the European Union to negotiate association agreements and business deals on a bilateral level with Colombia and Peru instead of having to deal with the entire Community of Andean Nations (CAN) as a bloc
Brainstorming continues for signing of Pak-US BIT
20-Jan-2009 Daily Times
Government of Pakistan has hired the services of a Swiss consultancy firm for analysing the Pak-US Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)
China and Costa Rica begin free trade talks
20-Jan-2009 AFP
China and Costa Rica on Monday began talks for a free trade treaty under which the Central American nation hopes to export meat, plants, fruit and coffee to the Asian giant
Time to rethink free trade agreements with the United States
20-Jan-2009 Americas Program
The path to "free trade"—as defined by George Bush and his predecessors—is currently at a crossroads. The Obama presidency, the growing number of developing countries that oppose NAFTA-like trade agreements, and the global economic crisis are interrelated factors that provide an opportunity to rethink this model and demand conditions favoring equitable development.
EU business group urges ambitious stance on Korea trade talks
20-Jan-2009 Morning Star
The European Union should seek big reductions in tariffs and an end to rules that limit trade as part of its negotiations with South Korea on a free trade agreement, the E.U.’s main business group said in a letter released Monday.
FTA between Panama and Honduras takes effect
20-Jan-2009 Florida Shipper
The free trade agreement between Panama and Honduras took effect on Jan. 9. The agreement has an impact on 80 percent of the goods traded between the countries.
FTA need of the hour: EU trade commissioner
20-Jan-2009 Economic Times
Former European Union trade commissioner Peter Mandelson has said that efforts should be made to implement the EU-India free trade agreement this year as it could help the two sides in overcoming challenges in a post-crisis world.
‘FTA with Gulf region will boost bilateral trade’
20-Jan-2009 The Star
Malaysia is hopeful that negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Malaysia can commence as soon as possible, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.