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investment | BITs

Zimbabwe is offering land back to BIPPAs and black farmers. Betrayal or the law? Here are the facts
2-Sep-2020 The Zimbabwe Mail
There are only two types of farmers that can be compensated for both land and improvements on farms. On of them is farmers whose land was protected by Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements.
Why China’s diplomatic push may not be enough to secure EU investment deal
31-Aug-2020 South China Morning Post
Despite a recent charm offensive by senior Chinese diplomats, the chances of wrapping up a landmark investment deal with the European Union remain uncertain, analysts said.
Investor-state disputes arising from COVID-19: balancing public health and corporate wealth
28-Aug-2020 Corrs Chambers Westgarth
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments globally are engaging in a difficult balancing act of protecting public health, mitigating economic damage and avoiding interference with private rights.
BITs and bonds: The international law and economics of sovereign debt
20-Aug-2020 SSRN
Recent jurisdictional decisions suggest that sovereign debt will be subject to bilateral investment treaties for the foreseeable future.
Global firms expected to sue UK for coronavirus losses
16-Aug-2020 The Guardian
Governments around the world – including the UK – face a wave of lawsuits from foreign companies who complain that their profits have been hit by the pandemic.
The Covid-19 pandemic and liability under investment treaties
11-Aug-2020 South Centre
COVID-19 can increase liability for countries under international investment treaties. Developing countries face imminent challenges under such treaties.
Nigeria begins reforms of international investment agreements
10-Aug-2020 Leadership
Nigeria is undertaking series of reforms of the country’s bilateral investment treaties to attract responsible, inclusive, balanced and sustainable investments.
PNG-Aust sign strategic economic partnership
7-Aug-2020 Post Courier
The governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia signed the Papua New Guinea-Australia comprehensive strategic and economic partnership (CSEP).
Zimbabwe to pay white farmers $3.5 billion over Mugabe land reforms
5-Aug-2020 The East African
Some of the dispossessed farmers were from countries such as Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland whose properties were protected by investment treaties between Harare and the Western countries.
What Kenya is seeking in free trade deal talks with America
26-Jul-2020 The Nation
Kenya’s need to export value-added agricultural products dominated the first round of talks with America after its formal launch on Wednesday last week.
India-EU Summit slated for 15 July after over two-year break, to be held virtually
10-Jul-2020 The Print
Bilateral trade and investment ties between India and the EU have become severely strained with the Modi government’s initial refusal to resume stalled negotiations on the proposed India-EU free trade agreement .
The risk of investor-state disputes in Asean in the aftermath of Covid-19
8-Jul-2020 The Business Times
The current pandemic, and the treaty claims which are likely to stem from it, are a reminder of the importance for ASEAN to be engaged in ongoing discussions at the United Nations of possible reform of the system of investment treaty arbitration.
Revisiting BITs in the wake of Covid-19
7-Jul-2020 Financial Express Bangladesh
Amidst the global risk of ISDS claims, it is incumbent to shed light on Bangladesh’s BIT structure and its feasibility to confront ISDS claims in the backdrop of Covid-19 regulatory space.
Chinese investments enjoy treaty protection. Beijing can drag New Delhi to tribunals
6-Jul-2020 The Print
India has a Bilateral Investment Treaty with China since 2007. The treaty provides foreign investors the right to fair and equitable treatment.
Morocco’s new model BIT: Innovative features and policy considerations
1-Jul-2020 IISD
In the face of the increasing number of claims brought by investors against host states on the basis of BITs and the exorbitant amounts awarded to investors, Morocco has undertaken a review of its model BIT using a flexible and rational approach.
S. Korea, Russia hold 5th round of FTA talks on service, investment
30-Jun-2020 Yonhap News Agency
South Korea and Russia started another round of negotiations to clinch a free trade agreement (FTA) in the service and investment sectors.
Sieren’s China: EU-China summit doesn’t resolve issues
29-Jun-2020 DW
As Brussels and Beijing struggle to agree on climate protection and trade, the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated their differences. The longer the two sides talk, the more China benefits.
Europe-China summit shows investment deal should not be expected anytime soon
26-Jun-2020 UrduPoint
The 22nd EU-China summit had its purpose in moving the two sides closer to a long-negotiated investment agreement, but instead revealed the scope of tensions and differences that dominate the relationship.
No progress on trade, investment, Hong Kong as EU wraps-up tense China summit
23-Jun-2020 Euractiv
Europeans are especially concerned about market access, the forced transfer of technology imposed on foreign firms operating in China, the subsidies offered by Beijing to its companies, the unbalanced relation in the public procurement market.
RCEP will undermine fight against COVID19 pandemic
18-Jun-2020 APWLD
The 15 governments must consider the adverse impact of the mega FTA and put an end to trade agreements such as RCEP as they only increase protection and power of multinational corporations.