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EFTA


Malaysia too hasty in signing EFTA trade agreement
Consumers’ Association of Penang express strong disappointment over Malaysia’s rushed signing of a trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, criticizing the government’s failure to address concerns about the intellectual property (IP) provisions.
Remove TRIPS+ demands from the EFTA-Malaysia Free-Trade Agreement
The undersigned Swiss NGOs are urging the Swiss government to actively engage within EFTA to drop these provisions known as TRIPS+.
Malaysia signs free trade pact with Norway, Iceland and other EFTA countries
Malaysia has signed a wide-ranging economic partnership agreement with the four member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA): Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Malaysia-European Free Trade Association partnership agreement could negatively impact many sectors, says CAP
The proposed Malaysia-EFTA Economic Partnership Agreement (MEEPA) could negatively affect public health, farmers’ rights, and food security in Malaysia. It includes "TRIPS-plus" intellectual property provisions that extend patent monopolies, limit access to affordable generic medicines, and increase drug costs.
Malaysia-EFTA economic partnership agreement (MEEPA) would tie Malaysia’s hands on access to medicines
Malaysian negotiators have accepted intellectual property protections above those required by the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, which will adversely affect affordable and equitable access to medicines in Malaysia for generations.
Swiss firms keen to expand India presence as FTA implementation draws near
Swiss firms eye India expansion as FTA with EFTA nears implementation. With $100B investment planned over 15 years, sectors like biotech, pharma, and engineering align with India’s growth goals, making it a key hub for global value chains and innovation.
FTA with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein likely to come into effect by Sep 2025: Piyush Goyal
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that the Free Trade Agreement with the European Free Trade Association is likely to come into effect from September 2025.
Don’t trade away farmers’ rights: reject UPOV in EFTA-Malaysia agreement
CSOs in Malaysia write a letter to expresses serious concerns about the potential inclusion of UPOV 1991 in the Malaysia-European Free Trade Association Economic Partnership Agreement (MEEPA), warning that it could undermine Malaysia’s existing plant variety protection law, harm farmers’ rights, and restrict seed sovereignty.
After India-Norway pact, Nordic cos eye Goa as hub
The recently signed India-EFTA (European Free Trade Association) Free Trade Agreement between India and Norway has prompted Nordic firms to explore Goa as a potential hub.
India, Norway discuss implementation of EFTA trade pact
India and Norway on Wednesday discussed the implementation of the India-EFTA free trade agreement, which was signed in March last year to boost economic ties.
Piyush Goyal meets UK counterpart, push FTA talks
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal meets UK counterpart Jonathan Reynolds to advance India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks. The negotiations, nearing completion, focus on trade, investment, and visa flexibility.
European bloc turns to Southeast Asia in bid to hedge protectionism
Four-member EFTA comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland concludes trade deal with Malaysia as US tariffs sweep world.
EFTA and Ukraine sign updated free trade agreement
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Switzerland is a member, and Ukraine signed an updated free trade agreement in Kyiv.
EFTA–Moldova Free Trade Agreement takes effect for all parties
The EFTA–Moldova Free Trade Agreement came into force for all parties on April 1, following the completion of the necessary internal procedures by Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the European Free Trade Association said.
Parliament approves the free trade agreement with India
The Swiss parliament has approved the free trade agreement between the EFTA states and India. After the Council of States, the National Council also approved the corresponding federal decree on Thursday. Switzerland is one of the EFTA states.
Thailand signed FTA with EFTA: no worries about TRIPs Plus, except Border Measure & IP Enforcement
While the Thailand - EFTA agreemnts avoids TRIPS-plus measures that would directly impact medicine access and the universal healthcare system, Thai CSOs group remain concerns regarding border measures and intellectual property enforcement.
India-Switzerland economic ties set to strengthen with new investment pact; no impact of MFN suspension on Indian companies: Top Swiss official
Alexandre Fasel, the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs in Switzerland on Thursday said that India and Switzerland are poised to strengthen their economic ties through a new bilateral investment treaty.
India to rely on brokering quick FTAs to limit Trump tariff fallout
India is negotiating a slew of trade deals, including with the UK, Oman and the EU, and also plans to bring back on the table a ’mini pact’ with US.
Swiss foreign minister pushes for free trade deal in Latin America
During a five-day trip to Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay this week, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis tried to push forward negotiations on a free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).