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investment | BITs


Pakistan-US differences over BIT persists
Pakistan has asked the United States to sign the proposed Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) by dropping its demand that in case of an arbitration only the Washington based International Centre for Settlement of Disputes (ICSID) should be approached for a decision.
India adopts ’Look West’ Asia policy
On the lines of its successful "Look East" policy to promote trade and investment with its Asian neighbours, India aims to adopt a similar policy for West Asia, an external affairs ministry official said here Tuesday.
Uruguayan Senate debates US BIT, looks for common Mercosur posture on BITs
The Uruguayan Senate remains deeply divided on whether to move forward with the ratification of a US-Uruguayan Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT).
Botswana forges partnership with Mauritius
Botswana Minister of Trade and Industry, Neo Moroka yesterday signed a bilateral investment treaty on promotion and reciprocal protection on investment with Mauritius envoy, Madan Dulloo.
India’s new investment norm
The tax holiday provided under the India-Singapore agreement, which Indian companies may take advantage of, is part of a trend that will make it increasingly difficult to tax capital in almost any country.
Saudi, Kuwait want India to give ’S’pore treatment’
India’s decision to grant tax sops to Singapore-based FIIs under the comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA) has prompted oil-rich Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to pitch for similar concessions in the double taxation avoidance treaties that are being negotiated with Indian tax authorities.
A toxic trade-off
Pressing for passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement at a White House news conference in May, President Bush made the case that a vote for CAFTA was a vote for democracy: "By transforming our hemisphere into a powerful free trade area, we will promote democratic governance, human rights and economic liberty for everyone," he said.
Philippines, US trade talks generate positive results
The Philippines-US Trade and Investment Council (TIC) recently held a bilateral consultation. The Philippine panel was informed during the TIC that the US Trade Representative will soon publish the results of a study on the prospects of an ASEAN-US FTA.
Critics urged to look at long-term gains
Foreign direct investment is poised to increase steadily in the near future as a result of new free-trade agreements, according to Somkid Jatusripitak, a deputy prime minister and commerce minister.
Tribunal OKs treaty-shopping for better arbitration options in Gas Natural case
Another international arbitral tribunal has weighed in on the question as to whether “Most-Favored Nation” treatment offers foreign investors access to more favorable dispute resolution options found in other treaties.
NBD outlines major US objectives of FTAs
National Bank of Dubai in a report outlined the US main objectives from regional trade agreements, the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
Nicaragua signs ARPPI with Luxembourg, Belgium (Eng/Esp/Fra)
Nicaragua has recently signed Agreements on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments (ARPPI) with Luxembourg and Belgium.
CAFTA’s debt trap
Criticism of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) currently being considered by the U.S. Congress has focused heavily on concerns that the treaty would devastate Central American farmers who would be forced to compete with heavily subsidized U.S. agribusiness.
Free or even fair?
As the 4th round of Thailand-US free-trade negotiations start today in Montana, a key issue will be the shape of any future intellectual-property regime. The survival of Thai jasmine rice, and the people who grow it, may very well depend on whatever system is finally agreed upon.
AU’s Ministerial Declaration on EPA negotiations
EPAs should serve as instruments for development and poverty reduction. They must also support the deepening of intra-African trade.
Bilateral Treaties to Promote and Protect Foreign Investment within the Americas: an alternative to the FTAA
Sovereign states are the original right bearers. They have to denounce bilateral investment treaties or their most arbitrary clauses following the procedures provided, in accordance with the legal principles of democratic constitutions; to recover their legislative and jurisdictional powers, by retrieving their inherent jurisdiction which had been delegated to international foreign tribunals, allowing them to rule on the general regulatory or contractual policies of independent nations.
Investment regime takes shape
Investment rules are not on the agenda of the current Doha Round of global trade talks. Instead, bilateral, regional and other level agreements are building a de facto international regime for investment.
Local businesses stumble over Angola visas
The issue of trade visas, transfer pricing of goods and the long outstanding issue of the Bilateral Investment Agreement between Namibia and Angola are some of the challenges facing businesses in the country.
SA to push for agreement to protect assets in Zimbabwe
South Africa is set to push once more for the signing of an investment protection agreement with Zimbabwe as President Robert Mugabe starts implementing threats to abolish private ownership of land.
P4 Economic Partnership Agreement - key outcomes
Press release from NZ government outlining key features of the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement between Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore.