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investment | BITs


Luxembourg leads EU push to climate-proof Energy Charter Treaty
Critics say the Energy Charter provides excessive legal protection for oil and gas companies, which can claim uncapped reparations from governments who frustrate investments in fossil fuel projects.
Multi-billion dollar fine on Pakistan puts the spotlight on a secret court
The Reko Diq mine case shows the overreach of a secretive arbitration system.
Trade agreement between Brazil and United States will not include free-trade
Officials participating in the negotiations say the deal not only involves taxes, but also non-tariff and investment issues.
African states launch the operational phase of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, creating one of the largest common markets in the world
The AfCFTA entered into force on May 30, 2019 for all States that have ratified the Agreement. Trading under the agreement will begin on July 1, 2020.
Kenya ties on the table
Barbados is looking to enter into a double taxation agreement and a bilateral investment treaty with Kenya.
Concern grows over ‘corporate courts’ being set up after Brexit
Parliament’s trade committee says it is alarmed by government’s failure ‘to set out even basic lines of policy’ on how international arbitration will work after Brexit.
China pushes more bilateral investment with Malaysia
There will be more investments in the finance and high-value agriculture sectors to Malaysia from China as part of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Pakistan seeks convening of TIFA meeting
Pakistan will seek engagement with the United States in the economic and trade arena, while emphasizing the need for early convening of the next round of Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).
Government decides to challenge award
The Pakistan government has decided to challenge the award ICSID award that includes $4.08 billion penalty and $1.87 billion interest.
Pakistan fined Rs950 bn in Reko Diq case
The International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) of World Bank has rendered almost $6 billion (Rs950 billion) award against Pakistan in Reko Diq case.
EU-Vietnam trade deal a bad day for workers’ rights
Behind the smiles and handshakes, the signature of the EU-Vietnam trade and investment deals - being agreed on Tuesday (25 June) and to be signed at the end of this week - have dire consequences for human well-being and our ability to prevent climate and ecological breakdown.
Building confidence, BIT by BIT
Indian bilateral investment treaties need to strike a balance between foreign investor interests and those of the state
Arbitration overrules Tallinna Vesi tariff complaint, must pay costs
Tallinn water utility Tallinna Vesi has seen its claim against the Estonian state overruled by the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Dispute (ICSID), and has been ordered to pay costs likely to be in excess of half a million euros.
New research shows public interest damage caused by corporate justice
New research published today reveals the devastating consequences of the controversial Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) system
South Korea and Russia initiate FTA talks in service and investment sectors
South Korea and Russia initiated the two sides’ FTA negotiations in service and investment in Moscow on June 20.
EU allows Romania to pay EUR 200 mln compensation to Romanian-Swedish investors
The European Court of Justice on June 18 canceled a European Commission decision dating 2015, which established that Romania’s payment of compensation to Romanian-Swedish investors Ioan and Viorel Micula constituted illegal state aid. The European Commission also ordered the Romanian Government to recover the money already paid to the investors following an international court’s decision.
UAE, Hong Kong sign agreement on mutual promotion and protection of investments
The Ministry of Finance signed an agreement to encourage and protect investments between the UAE and the Hong Kong Government, as part of the ministry’s efforts to protect the nations investments abroad and to attract foreign investments.
New Dutch model BIT: negotiations to commence soon
The Dutch government has obtained the authorisation required to start renegotiations with eight non-EU countries on its new model bilateral investment treaty and conclude new BITs with two others.
India, Kyrgyzstan have prepared 5 year roadmap to increase bilateral trade: PM Modi
India and Kyrgyztan have given the final shape to the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) and the bilateral investment treaty.
Hungary appeals Sodexo award with ICSID
Hungary has filed to annul an award of some EUR 73 million, before interest, to French food voucher company Sodexo, granted in an arbitration ruling by the World Bankʼs International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), state news agency MTI reported, citing case information on ICSIDʼs website.