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investment | BITs


German investor launches ICSID case against Costa Rica over alleged expropriation of land near endangered turtle habitat
German investor Reinhard Unglaube, a resident of Costa Rica, has commenced arbitration against his host country over the latter’s refusal to grant the appropriate permits to extend his eco-tourist hotel complex in Playa Grande, Costa Rica.
Pakistan, Germany sign new bilateral investment treaty
Under the bilateral treaty, the German government would provide insurance guarantees to investments by its companies in Pakistan and cover their political and security risks.
Pakistan to co-host world’s first international conference on Investment Treaties
Pakistan will co-host with Germany world’s first-ever International Conference on Investment Treaties in Frankfurt from December 1-3, aimed at examining the policy issues that will shape international investment laws in the years to come.
Farmers protected from Zimbabwe deal
South African farmers in Zimbabwe will not forfeit their land or investments as a result of a bilateral agreement still to be signed, a Pretoria judge ordered.
SA farmers threaten legal action over new investment pact with Zim
The imminent signing of a new bilateral investment protection treaty (BIPPA) between Zimbabwe and South Africa could be halted, if an application in the Pretoria High Court on behalf of more than 200 farmers proves successful on Thursday.
Zimbabwe: South Africa farming union insists land grab victims be protected
South Africa’s main agriculture and farming union has expressed concern about the bilateral investment treaty agreed with Zimbabwe, which is set to exclude South African owned farms that were expropriated by the Robert Mugabe regime during the chaotic land ’reform’ programme.
Vietnam, US hold third BIT negotiation round
Vietnam expressed concerns about the possibility of executing some terms and conditions in the BIT draft, especially those relating to transfer of money, financial services, list of non-conforming measures and minimum standard treatment.
RP: no tariff lifting sans investment
The Philippines is likely to suspend its tariff-elimination commitments for Japanese vehicles and auto parts under the two countries’ economic partnership agreement starting in January, as the government still needs to determine if the “increased investment” that Japan promised has indeed come in already.
India-EU FTA will lead to new wave of investments
A new wave of investments from India to Europe and from Europe to India is likely to follow the India-EU free trade agreement which would take the bilateral trade to 160 billion euro by 2015, says the Indian Ambassador to France Ranjan Mathai.
Quiborax claim against Bolivia continues; may provide first decision on effects of ICSID exit
Chilean Química e Industrial del Bórax Ltd. (“Quiborax”) will continue with its claim against Bolivia at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Dispute (“ICSID”), despite reports of a settlement agreement and Bolivia’s renunciation of the ICSID convention. The case will likely shed the first light as to the effects of renouncing the ICSID Convention, a controversial topic over which no tribunal has yet to rule.
Clash on investment
During the past several months, I spent nearly 30 hours in meetings of a private sector committee tasked with advising the Obama administration on a particular set of international economic policies.
India, US discussing framework on investment, trade
India and US have made progress towards finalising a framework agreement on trade and investment, which will be signed soon, said visiting US Trade Representative Ron Kirk. Points that still need work, in Washington’s view, are strengthening intellectual property and access of US goods and financial services into Indian markets.
India-US talks on investment treaty in December
India and the US will have more discussions in December on the investment treaty, aimed at providing a fillip to bilateral business ties, US Ambassador, Timothy J Roemer said today.
S.Africa farmers want land in Zimbabwe investment pact
While Agri SA has been leading a push for South African farmers to invest and farm in a number of other countries across Africa, including the Republic of Congo, Libya and Zambia, the union has urged its members to stay away from countries where South Africa has no investment protection agreements.
US envoy hopeful of Indo-US bilateral investment treaty being endorsed
US Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer has said that he is hopeful that a bilateral investment treaty between US and India will be signed by end of the year.
Ad Hoc Committee confirms Argentina is on the hook to Azurix for US$165 Million
Marking a final setback for Argentina in its protracted dispute with US-based water services firm Azurix Corp, on 1 September 2009 an ad hoc committee denied Argentina’s application to annul an ICSID tribunal’s previous decision awarding Azurix approximately US$165 Million for breach of Argentina’s obligations under the US-Argentina Bilateral Investment Treaty.
Ecuador criticizes Chevron arbitration claim
Ecuador accused Chevron Corp on Thursday of filing an international arbitration claim against the country in an attempt to shield itself against losing a $27 billion environmental damage lawsuit.
ICSID rejects Turkish Co $756m claim against Pak
An arbitral tribunal appointed by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (lCSID) of the World Bank hearing a claim brought by a Turkish investor against the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has rejected all claims for breach of a bilateral investment treaty between the two countries.
Corn Products awarded damages in NAFTA dispute
US-based Corn Products International has been awarded damages of over $58m in a dispute with Mexico over violations of the North America Free Trade Agreement.
Protecting Chinese investments in Latin America
As with Western BITs, bilateral investment treaties between China and numerous Latin American countries potentially protect Chinese investors by authorizing them to bring legal claims related to their investments against the host country government directly and to settle those disputes in international arbitration, rather than in the domestic courts