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investment | BITs

Investment provisions in Economic Partnership Agreements
15-May-2008
This paper examines the investment provisions of the CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement and their implications for development. The paper also clarifies the link between investment provisions in an EPA and existing bilateral investment treaties. It concludes with recommendations for both review of the investment provisions in the CARIFORUM EPA, and for other ACP states that decide to embark on negotiations on investment with the EU.
Second round of negotiations on CEPA starts in Islamabad today
12-May-2008
The second round of negotiations between Srilanka and Pakistan on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) starts in Islamabad today (Tuesday).
Banished Zimbabwe farmer to sue country
6-May-2008
South African taxpayers may have to pay millions of rands in compensation for the government’s failure to act in Zimbabwe when hundreds of white-owned farms belonging to South Africans were confiscated in 2000.
Bilateral Investment Treaty can spur US-Pakistan economic ties: Negroponte
6-May-2008
A top US diplomat has said the conclusion of a bilateral investment treaty with Pakistan would bolster economic and trade ties between the private sectors of the two countries.
International investment agreements: A survey of environmental, labour and anti-corruption issues
2-May-2008 OECD
This paper surveys the societal dimension of 296 international investment agreements (IIAs) signed by the 30 member countries and of by the 9 non-member countries that participate formally in OECD investment work.
Canada has recently started bilateral investment treaty negotiations with Tanzania, Mongolia, Madagascar, Indonesia and Vietnam
1-May-2008 Trade Lawyers Blog
Canada is becoming more engaged in international treaty negotiation and has recently announced that: Canada and Tanzania; Canada and Mongolia; Canada and Madagascar; Canada and Indonesia; and Canada and Vietnam have agreed to begin negotiations towards a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA).
Venezuela to renegotiate Dutch investment treaty
1-May-2008 Reuters
Venezuela plans to renegotiate a bilateral investment treaty with the Netherlands because oil companies have started "abusing" the agreement, Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez said on Wednesday.
US favours Nafta-type investment pact with India
28-Apr-2008
The US wants to include labour and environment standards in the proposed bilateral investment agreement with India. While India wants to structure the pact on the lines of similar agreements that it has with other nations, the US wants to structure it on the lines of the investment chapter in the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta).
US trade expert finds fishhooks in FTA
28-Apr-2008 Scoop
While media coverage of the China-NZ Free Trade Agreement has focused almost entirely on the possible dollar gains, scant attention has been paid to the equally valid exposure of New Zealand to compensation claims — should any NZ government be so bold in future as to pass laws or regulations that a foreign investor feels will impact on profitability.
Rudd may give China investment rights
21-Apr-2008
The Rudd government is considering giving cashed-up Chinese companies the same investment rights enjoyed by the US in a bid to revitalise free-trade talks.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Gulf’s new dynamics
14-Apr-2008 FDI Magazine
Charles Roxborough, who leads management consultancy McKinsey & Company’s global corporate and investment banking practice, estimates that by 2020 sovereign wealth funds, of which some of the richest are located in the Middle East and north Africa (MENA) region, will have invested a staggering $7000bn in capital markets. “They’re reshaping strategies at banks and intermediaries,” he says. He believes that hedge funds, Asian central banks and sovereign wealth funds have tripled their market position since 2000 and now make about 5% of global investments.
New curbs on investment from the South
14-Apr-2008 IPS
Germany’s decision to introduce controls on investments from the South in strategic domestic sectors is yet another indicator of growing protectionism in European and other industrialised countries against the neo-liberal globalisation they once masterminded.
Experts: Exxon case has to be addressed in the ICSID
9-Apr-2008
While it is a US company, Exxon Mobil is entitled to invoke protection under the Netherlands-Venezuela Investment Promotion and Protection Convention, which guarantees resolution of Exxon Mobil’s dispute with Venezuela in the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
U.S. or E.U.? Tico politicos split over best foreign investor
9-Apr-2008
Costa Rican lawmakers are divided over who makes a better investor in their country, the United States or the European Union, according to a recent questionnaire.
Concern grows over global trade regulation
27-Mar-2008
Amid the noisy battering the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) is taking from both Democratic presidential hopefuls, one recent statement from Hillary Clinton was particularly resonant. "We will have a very clear view of how we’re going to review Nafta," the New York senator said. "We’re going to take out the ability of foreign companies to sue us because of what we do to protect our workers."
’New Investment Code Prohibits Discrimination’
27-Mar-2008
An official of the National Investment Commission has disclosed that the new Investment Code prohibits discrimination against any investor in Liberia.
Trade deal spurred foreign investment record, Dominican Central Bank says
25-Mar-2008
Direct foreign investment in Dominican Republic jumped to US$1.7 billion in 2007, year in which the DR-Cafta trade accord took effect in the country, the Central Bank said.
NAFTA clause that allows companies to sue governments draws flak
22-Mar-2008
When agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland Co. quietly filed court documents this month to overturn — and increase — a multi-million-dollar trade penalty it won against the Mexican government, the move shone a light on Chapter 11, perhaps the most controversial clause in the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Trade ministry mulls overseas farm investments in FTAs
20-Mar-2008
Korea is mulling over including agricultural investment in free trade agreements with countries like China and Australia that export agricultural products.
Canada strengthens investor protections
20-Mar-2008 Mondaq
Canada has just passed legislation implementing the ICSID Convention, a very important tool for the resolution of investor-state disputes. But the government has not yet indicated a timetable for ratification of the treaty. To date, only four provinces and one territory have passed similar implementing legislation.