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ASEAN

Two years target for FTA conclusion with EU very ambitious, says Asean Sec-Gen
8-Aug-2008 Bernama
Asean Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan today shot down the possibility of a speedy conclusion of the European Union-Asean Free Trade Agreement
Issues stalling free trade pact with Asean resolved
8-Aug-2008
India has concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), with the deadlock over certain ‘outstanding issues’ that were stalling the pact from taking off being finally resolved.
Asean, India agree on FTA
7-Aug-2008
After three years of strenuous talks, negotiations for the free trade agreement (FTA) between Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) and India were finally concluded Thursday.
EU-Asean minus FTA expected in three years’ time
6-Aug-2008 Bernama
An EU-Asean Minus Free Trade Agreement — likely to exclude Laos, Burma and Cambodia — is expected to be established within the next two to three years’ time, a European Commission official in Indonesia said.
The structure and trends of economic relationship between Thailand and the EU
23-Jul-2008 FTA Watch
A review of the potential direction and impacts of an EU-ASEAN FTA, particularly on Thailand, commissioned by FTA Watch
East Asia Summit explores free trade area prospects
23-Jul-2008 The Hindu
The East Asia Summit, a “leaders-driven forum” with India, as also China and Japan in its fold, “is studying the feasibility of a free trade area among its 16 countries.”
ASEAN to push for free trade deals: document
18-Jul-2008 AFP
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is expected to endorse a continued push for free trade agreements with Australia & New Zealand, the EU and India during talks this weekend, a draft document said Friday.
Asean-Australia-New Zealand FTA near conclusion: Rudd
11-Jul-2008 The Edge Daily
The ongoing negotiations on the free trade agreement (FTA) between Asean countries and Australia-New Zealand (ANZ) are expected to be concluded in the near term, said Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
New Zealand business group warns on Asian free trade pact
4-Jul-2008 Earth Times
A New Zealand business group warned the government Friday against signing a free trade pact with the 10-member Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN) that did not set a timetable for abolishing duties on meat and dairy products.
European trade bloc EFTA eyes closer ties with Asia
1-Jul-2008
Ministers from the four-nation European economic grouping EFTA agreed on Monday to extend their network of free-trade and investment pacts to India and key Southeast Asian countries.
India, Indonesia close to sorting differences in ASEAN FTA
29-Jun-2008 PTI
India is believed to be working out a trade off with Indonesia on palm oil, the last hurdle to a Free Trade Agreement that New Delhi has been negotiating with ASEAN for several years.
ASEAN SecGen urges early entry into force of ASEAN-Japan Trade and Economic Pact
27-Jun-2008 PIA
The Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Surin Pitsuwan welcomed the ratification of the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Agreement by the Japanese Diet on June 21.
RP fishers buck EU-ASEAN free trade deal
26-Jun-2008
A group of small-scale fishers in the Philippines is against a free trade deal between the European Union (EU) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Europe drive vs workers assailed
24-Jun-2008 ABS-CBN
A regional coalition of civil-society organizations in Southeast Asia has criticized the European Parliament decision mandating the forcible deportation of undocumented workers in Europe. The decision negates the goals of the proposed EU free-trade deal with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), seeking to open trade and investments including the seamless entry of Asean workers to Europe.
Japan’s Parliament approves free trade with ASEAN
21-Jun-2008 Radio Australia
Japan’s Parliament, the Diet has endorsed a free trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The agreement will come into force on the first day of the second month after Japan and at least one of the 10 ASEAN member complete domestic procedures, such as parliamentary endorsement.
Indonesia, Australia to speed up ASEAN-ANZ free trade
14-Jun-2008 Jakarta Post
Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, and Australia pledged Friday to help accelerate a negotiation to secure a free-trade agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nation, Australia and New Zealand (AANZ-FTA).
Obstacles to EU-Asean FTA
13-Jun-2008 The Nation
A free-trade agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the European Union is unlikely to take shape soon because of the big discrepancies between Asean members and political problems in Burma, said Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht.
Japan vows to ratify free trade accord with ASEAN
10-Jun-2008 Hemscot
Japan’s government vowed Tuesday to ratify a free-trade accord with ASEAN by extending a parliament session hampered by feuding with the opposition.
SMEs deserve special attention in Asean, says Muhyiddin
24-May-2008
Malaysian’s International Trade & Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Saturday night that small & medium enterprises (SMEs) deserve special attention in Asean as they are the backbone of the economies of all the member states.
RI asks Australia, New Zealand to open their textile markets
13-May-2008
Indonesia has asked Australia and New Zealand to open their textile and textile product markets under a free trade arrangement (FTA) with ASEAN.