bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

EFTA

Swiss Senate approves free trade agreement with India
4-Dec-2024 The Hindu Business Line
The proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is likely to focus on investment liberalisation, including rules guiding Foreign Direct Investment, while keeping investment protection and arbitration out of the pact, to be negotiated separately in a bilateral investment treaty (BIT), according to sources.
Thailand agrees first FTA with trade bloc in Europe
3-Dec-2024 Bangkok Post
Thailand Minister Pichai Naripthaphan was announcing successful negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Thailand and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Commerce Secretary visits Norway to discuss early implementation of trade pact with EFTA bloc
25-Nov-2024 The Hindu
Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal has visited Norway to discuss the possibility of an early implementation of a free trade agreement between India and the four-nation European bloc EFTA, an official statement said.
Thai and Swiss civil society unite to protect access to medicines and the Universal Health Coverage Scheme
21-Nov-2024 ITPC Global
Civil society groups in Thailand and Switzerland are urging the Thai government to maintain its stance against TRIPS+ provisions, which exceed the requirements of the World Trade Organization’s TRIPS Agreement. These groups argue that such provisions could significantly increase the cost of medicines and limit access for the Thai population.
Pichai meets Swiss, Norwegian envoys to push FTA with European group
21-Oct-2024 The Nation
Thai Commerce Ministry held discussions with the representatives of Switzerland and Norway to push for finalisation of the free trade agreement between Thailand and the European Free Trade Association.
Kosovo completes free trade negotiations with EFTA
30-Sep-2024 SeeNews
Kosovo’s industry ministry has concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Switzerland govt submits EFTA-India trade agreement to Parliament
6-Sep-2024 Business Standard
The Swiss government has submitted a free trade agreement with India to its parliament for ratification. The agreement aims to increase trade and investment between the two regions. However, it has faced public opposition due to concerns about environmental impacts and the protection of domestic industries.
Commerce Ministry accelerates Thai-EFTA FTA talks: 10th round in Geneva
20-Aug-2024 Khaosod English
Thailand is negotiating a free trade deal with EFTA, aiming for completion by year’s end. This 10th round of talks focuses on expanding trade and investment, covering goods, services, and intellectual property. Despite past delays, both sides are determined to strengthen economic ties.
Europe and Asia: which countries Ukraine plans to conclude and update FTAs with this year
7-Aug-2024 Ukrinform
Ukraine is preparing to approve and update several free trade agreements (FTAs) with several European and Asian countries in the near future.
EFTA signs revised free trade agreement with Chile
25-Jun-2024 Swiss Info
The revised agreement with Chile was signed at a ministerial meeting of EFTA states (Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway) in Geneva.
The India-EFTA deal: A model for developing countries
21-Jun-2024 South Centre
Governments are shifting from investor-state dispute mechanisms to treaties that encourage and ease investment.
UN criticises EFTA for jeopardising the right to food
7-Jun-2024 Swiss Right to Seed Coalition
The member countries of European Free Trade Association (EFTA) are jeopardising the right to food through free trade agreements with countries of the Global South.
Department seeks to speed up free trade negotiations
10-May-2024 Bangkok Post
Thailand’s Department of Trade Negotiations is actively pursuing free trade agreements (FTAs). Trade negotiations with the Efta and the EU are continuing, while upgrades to existing FTAs in the Asean framework include China, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand to facilitate trade and investment for Thai businesses.
India’s newly amended patent rules threaten affordable medicines in the Global South
2-May-2024 Peoples Dispatch
It is no coincidence that just five days before the amendments were announced, India signed a Free Trade Agreement with the European Free Trade Association.
TEPA’s IP encroachment: A new barrier to indigenous innovation
16-Apr-2024 The Hindu
The new approach to intellectual property and investment through FTAs accepts an IP maximalist agenda of the United States Trade Representative; it threatens to upset the fine balance between public and private interests and push India away from essential innovations.
Switzerland seeks bilateral investment treaty with India
4-Apr-2024 The Times of India
Switzerland pursues a new bilateral investment treaty with India post EFTA deal, addressing model treaty concerns.India remains reluctant on concessions, focusing on market.
Implications for intellectual property rights following Switzerland and India’s new free trade agreement
27-Mar-2024 Lexology
The FTA contains various provisions on the protection of intellectual property rights that will influence trade between Swiss and Indian companies.
EFTA euro nations eye Mercosur deal before year-end
25-Mar-2024 Buenos Aires Times
Parliamentary representatives from European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) stop in Buenos Aires as part of regional tour focusing on efforts to secure free-trade deal with the Mercosur bloc.
Fish farmers up in arms at proposed FTA with EFTA members
19-Mar-2024 The Nation Thailand
Representatives of six fish farmer associations on Monday submitted a letter to Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin, urging the government to halt the negotiation of a free trade agreement (FTA) for imported fish that Thailand is planning with EFTA.
Update: Progress on 6 Thai FTAs now under negotiation
12-Mar-2024 The Nation
Thailand is negotiating 11 free trade agreements, including five related to upgrading existing FTAs along with developing six new FTAs as the kingdom aims to expand trade and investment with key trading partner countries near and distant.