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FTA with Japan: who gains more?
9-Aug-2005
Who will benefit the most from the Thailand-Japan Free Trade Area (FTA) agreement which has been approved in principle by the two countries?
Ford Thailand objects to planned Thai-Japan FTA
4-Aug-2005 Dow Jones Newswire
The impact of a tentative free-trade agreement with Japan on the automobile industry’s import tariff structure may prompt the US-based giant Ford Motor Co. to reconsider planned investments in Thailand.
Japan-Thailand FTA: Tokyo settles for an easy and small trade deal.
4-Aug-2005 Asahi Shumbun
Japan has reached a general accord for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with Thailand, a key trade and diplomatic partner in Asia. Expectations for a substantial and beneficial agreement were high, but the deal has ended up a deep disappointment because Japan took the line of least resistance.
FTA fine print remains a big hurdle
2-Aug-2005
Bilateral free-trade agreements typically revolve around discussions of quotas and tariffs and the principle of market access for traders. But an even more crucial component is rules of origin. In the end, an agreement without clear, practical and fair rules is nothing but a can of food with no opener _ you know the food is in there, you just can’t eat it.
Long-lasting Thai-Japanese FTA negotiation concludes
2-Aug-2005 MCOT
The long-lasting negotiation for the Thai-Japanese free trade area (FTA) covering more than 7,000 product items has finally been wrapped up with an agreement to be signed in next April and effective in September 2006.
Sticky situation for Japan’s rice policy
28-Jul-2005 Asia Times
As Japan moves to sign more bilateral Free Trade Agreements, agriculture remains a sticking point with other rice producing nations such as Australia, India and China.
Thai-Japan Free Trade Agreement expected by next April
27-Jul-2005 MCOT
Despite a few sticky issues, the leader of the Thai negotiating team reckons the Thai-Japanese Free Trade Agreement could be ready to be signed by the two leaders next April.
METI chief plans late-July trip to strike Thai FTA
23-Jul-2005 Japan Times
Japan’s Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Shoichi Nakagawa will visit Thailand possibly on July 31 in a bid to strike a basic deal on a bilateral free-trade agreement in time for the end-of-July deadline set by the two countries.
RI, Japan focus on cooperation
19-Jul-2005 Jakarta Post
Japan and Indonesia are focusing their series of negotiations on setting up an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment and intellectual property rights, the Indonesian Minister of Trade says.
Japan needs trade pact with ASEAN
19-Jul-2005 Yomiuri Shimbun
Analysts have said it is a matter of time before China will replace Japan as the ASEAN’s largest trade partner.
Japan, RP agree on garments trade
17-Jul-2005 Manila Bulletin
While the Philippines and Japan still remained locked on three issues to finalize their Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), both parties have agreed in principle for a zero for zero arrangement on the trade of garments and textile.
Indonesia, Japan agree to hold free trade talks every 2 months
17-Jul-2005 Kazinform
Indonesia and Japan ended the first round of negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement Friday, aimed at establishing a new partnership, and agreed to hold the talks every two months.
Indonesia, Japan in free trade talks
15-Jul-2005 Xinhua
Under an agreement inked with Japan during Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s visit to Tokyo in June, senior officials from the two nations are to open the first round of free trade talks here on Thursday.
Progress made in talks with Tokyo
11-Jul-2005 Bangkok Post
Free-trade talks between Thailand and Japan may be edging toward a conclusion, thanks to better-than-expected results in the most recent round of discussions in Tokyo last week, according to a source close to the bilateral negotiations.
Chinese Amb. Wang calls for preparations for Japan-China FTA
9-Jul-2005 Kyodo
Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi called on the Japanese business community Friday to launch preparations for negotiations on a Japan-China free trade agreement.
South Africa, Japan plan panel to get FTA ball rolling
9-Jul-2005 Japan Times
Japan and South Africa agreed Thursday to form a study group to examine the feasibility of striking a bilateral free-trade agreement. Japan will proceed with South African FTA talks with an eye to eventually concluding a free-trade pact with the entire SACU.
Japan, SAfrica agree to study launching free trade agreement talks - report
8-Jul-2005 AFX
Japan and South Africa have agreed to examine the feasibility of striking a free trade agreement, Kyodo News reported, citing sources in the trade ministry here.
Indonesia, Japan to negotiate on EPA
7-Jul-2005 Xinhua
Indonesia and Japan will begin negotiation of Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) on July 14 in Jakarta.
Nakagawa intends to meet Thaksin to politically settle FTA talks
3-Jul-2005 Kyodo
Japan’s Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Shoichi Nakagawa expressed hope Friday for talks with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to achieve a political breakthrough in bilateral negotiations to seal a free trade agreement by the end of July, the target date set by the two governments.
Labor issues to delay Japan-Philippines FTA
1-Jul-2005 Asia Times
The signing of an economic partnership agreement between Japan and the Philippines is likely to be pushed back to at least the end of the year due to disagreements over investment protections and quotas for care providers.