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Asia


Regional consolidation, cross-regional tie-ups, or multilateralization of East Asian FTAs?
So far, research on the impacts of free trade agreements in east Asia assume the full utilisation of preferences. This column argues that newer evidence suggests that this assumption is made in error: estimated uptake is particularly low in east Asia. If we assume a more realistic utilisation rate in estimating impacts, results suggest that actual utilisation rates significantly diminish the benefits from preferential liberalisation, but in a non-linear way. In the absence of Doha, the multilateralisation of preferences, even without reciprocity, is the practical route that is most likely to deliver the greatest benefits to WTO members.
CALL TO ACTION! Deal a decisive blow to Neoliberalism - End the WTO and Stop the new wave of Free Trade Agreements - The time is now for Economic Justice!
The Indonesian People’s Movement Against Neocolonialism-Imperialism (Gerak Lawan) would like to work hand in hand with other movements in Asia and around the world, to dismantle the ongoing efforts to revive the WTO in the upcoming Ministerial meeting to be held in Bali, Indonesia on 3-6 December 2013.
In search of free trade in Asia
Intra-Asian trade is rising and so is the number of Asia’s free-trade agreements. Join ADB trade experts Ramesh Subramaniam and Jayant Menon in a live discussion.
Whither the Asian FTA?
East Asia may be on its way to stitch a regional trade agreement. This will be at the cost of an Asia-wide deal, writes Biswajit Dhar.
FTAs not cause of trade boom in Asia, says ADB
Free trade agreements cannot be credited for the increase in intra-Asian trade as they are often restrictive in scope and difficult to implement, the Asian Development Bank said Thursday.
ASEAN’s free trade links with US gain prominence
President Barack Obama’s presence at the East Asia trade summit in Bali has reinforced US efforts to engage with Asia.
A closer look at East Asia’s free trade agreements
ADB and ADBI conducted firm-level surveys in six East Asian countries, the results of which are published in the book “Asia’s Free Trade Agreements: How is Business Responding?” released on 21 January 2011.
FTA deal with Seoul to boost EU’s trade offensive in Asia
"The Korea deal is already triggering a domino effect. Japan, Taiwan and other countries are knocking on the door," a source from DG Trade told Europolitics.
Canadian apathy puts trade at risk in Southeast Asia: report
Canada has largely ignored relations with Southeast Asia over the past decade and is now at risk of being shut out of key trading pacts and institutions in the increasingly important region, according to a highly critical report to be released Wednesday.
Regional integration is a pipe dream
Those who favour a big push for regional integration in Asia now have their day in the sun. They say that the global economic crisis has accelerated the decline of America and the rise of China, India and other emerging powers. Power is shifting inexorably from the West to Asia.
Back to Basics on Asian Trade
The proliferation of FTAs has more costs than benefits.
New Via Campesina publication: FTAs in South East Asia and East Asia
This book is a compilation of various papers that were presented at a strategic meeting organized by La Via Campesina in South Korea in December 2008.
Asian trade: The noodle bowl
Why trade agreements are all the rage in Asia
East, South Asia free-trade deal could generate $260 billion in extra income
A free-trade agreement covering East and South Asia could generate around US$260 billion in additional income and pave the way for further cooperation between the two regions, says a new book from ADB.
Free trade deals could help counter falling trade, ADB study says
The Asian Development Bank has released the first comprehensive survey of the impact on business of East Asia’s numerous FTAs.
EU-Asia trade talks under sharp focus in Brussels
There is a general rush to get a “bilateral deal” done at the international as well as regional level in Asia, but many of the free trade agreements that have been negotiated or are being negotiated by Asian countries and the EU are “trade light” deals because they reflect foreign policy and political imperatives rather than economic goals, economic analysts said in Brussels last week.
Collapse of WTO talks likely to trigger more FTAs
With a free trade deal under the World Trade Organization now appearing unlikely to be struck in the foreseeable future, a number of countries are expected to gear up for further enhancing free trade agreements on a bilateral or regional basis to expand their overseas markets, analysts said Wednesday.
Asian women workers’ declaration on free trade agreements
There is increasing and irrefutable evidence that free trade deals devalue and homogenise cultures, stunt economic development, displace communities and are major drivers of increasing rural and urban poverty. Women are disproportionately affected.
Summary of documents from “To oppose FTAs: Making people matter”
APRN have uploaded some of the papers and PPT presented at the “To Oppose FTAs: Making People Matter” held last September 4-6, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.
Canada-Korea FTA would destroy jobs in all provinces and regions
If the Canadian federal government proceeds with a free trade agreement with Korea as promised, the impact on Canadian communities would be disastrous, according to a new study released by the CAW on October 23.