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ASEAN

Calls to scrap ASEAN trade deal over Burma
28-Sep-2007 ABC
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union says the Federal Government should cease Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) free trade negotiations immediately, in line with Burma sanctions.
India calls for the formation of an Asian Economic Community
20-Sep-2007 Malaysia Sun
India has called for greater economic cooperation with fellow East Asian countries saying regional groupings like ASEAN and others were pursuing separate goals, and this would not serve the larger economic interests of Asian nations.
ASEAN-China trade to hit $200b in 2008
17-Sep-2007 MENAFN
The value of trade between China and ASEAN may hit $200 billion next year in advance of the targeted ASEAN-China Free Trade Area in 2010 as tariff cuts take effect. China’s exports to ASEAN surged 34 percent between January and July this year, while imports grew 22.4 percent.
Honda to source parts from India plant
17-Sep-2007 Economic Times
India is likely to become an important sourcing hub for global auto maker Honda once the Indo-Asean free trade agreement (FTA) comes into operation
Asean FTA may be a no-show
11-Sep-2007 Economic Times
The much-hyped proposed free trade agreement between India and Asean seems to be running into trouble. Asean’s demand that India bring down customs duties on four sensitive agricultural commodities to levels much lower than what New Delhi finds ‘acceptable’ has put a question mark over the deal.
EU-Asean FTA negotiations unlikely to succeed, says academician
11-Sep-2007 Bernama
A successful free trade agreement between the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is unlikely because the Asean nations are unwilling to consider tackling the non-tariff and regulatory barriers, European Centre for International Political Economy’s co-director Razeen Sally said
Philippines wants fishing agreement in S. China Sea
5-Sep-2007 Reuters
The Philippines wants an agreement to allow free fishing in disputed waters of the South China Sea
Asean eyes completion of FTA talks with Australia, New Zealand in ’08
27-Aug-2007 Nasdaq.com
Asean economic ministers said while "considerable progress" has been made on the proposed comprehensive FTA with Australia-New Zealand, concluding talks this year is unlikely because the next phase of the negotiations "would be critical and intense."
Malaysia: EU hopes to complete FTA in two years: Ambassador
26-Aug-2007 Sinchew-i
“Malaysia has too many regulations and guidelines which hinders its competitiveness, free market and fair competition" EU ambassador to Malaysia said.
Japan, ASEAN reach FTA, but rice excluded
26-Aug-2007 Japan Today
Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations reached a free trade agreement Saturday, under which Tokyo will immediately repeal tariffs on 90% of imports from ASEAN by value to catch up with China and South Korea in intensifying regional FTA races.
ASEAN-India FTA faces roadblock
26-Aug-2007 AP
Southeast Asia and India remain far apart in their 4-year-old efforts to forge a free trade agreement, differing on the speed and range of liberalization, officials said Friday.
ASEAN and Japan near agreement on free trade
25-Aug-2007 ABS-CBN
The draft on trade in goods has been completed and they will now discuss the agreement on services and investment.
Thailand finds formula to settle rice dispute with SKorea, officials say
23-Aug-2007 IHT
Thailand has found a way to settle a dispute over rice with South Korea, allowing it to eventually join a free-trade deal between fellow Southeast Asian countries and Seoul, officials said Thursday.
ASEAN ministers to finalise FTAs with Japan, China
23-Aug-2007 Reuters
Southeast Asian economic ministers will finalise a blueprint for economic cooperation in the region and push free trade deals with six dialogue partners at a weekend meeting in Manila
Japan aims to ink free trade deal with ASEAN in November: Abe
21-Aug-2007 Bernama
Abe expects Japan and the 10-nation bloc to wrap up their negotiations during the Japan-ASEAN economic ministers’ meeting Saturday in the Philippines, paving the way for a signing by their leaders at a November summit. The FTA is expected to take effect sometime next year following approval by the parliaments of Japan and ASEAN member states.
ASEAN stops new intra-reg’l FTAs
21-Aug-2007 Manila Bulletin
ASEAN countries have agreed to a moratorium on forging intra-regional free trade agreements saying they would have to focus first on the completion of FTA negotiations with China, Japan, Korea, and the Australia-New Zealand.
EU-ASEAN: EU upbeat on prospects
20-Aug-2007 The Nation
Asean and the EU started unofficial talks on the free-trade agreement in Vietnam in July. They are scheduled to draw up a modality framework of the free-trade talks in the Philippines next month. This preparation is before Asean holds official negotiations with the EU early next year.
Free trade pacts with China, Japan to further weaken RP economy
15-Aug-2007
Philippine trade deals with Japan and China, which President Gloria Arroyo recently urged Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members to act on, will further weaken the country’s already damaged domestic economy.
ASEAN for early FTA with India
15-Aug-2007 The Hindu
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is keen on clinching a Free Trade Agreement with India by or before their November bilateral summit in Singapore.
EU wants proposed cooperation pact tied to RP rights record
14-Aug-2007 PDI
An official from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs admitted that given the country’s record of extrajudicial killings, the negotiating team is seriously concerned about whether the Philippines may qualify for a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with EU, a requisite for the country taking part in the EU-ASEAN free trade agreement.