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SAFTA

South Asia Free Trade Agreement

Nepal’s preparation still lackluster for fruitful SAFTA
26-Dec-2005 NewsLineNepal
Both government and private sector are showing lackluster preparation for implementing the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), even as the date is approaching for the formal enforcement of the agreement in Nepal.
A strong sub-regional grouping in the making
22-Dec-2005 Financial Express
As a new sub-regional group, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is making its presence felt in this part of the world.
SAFTA to come into effect from new year
20-Dec-2005
South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) will come into effect from January one next, Lok Sabha was informed today.
Getting SAARCastic
6-Dec-2005 Hard News
While the temptation exists to conclude as many FTAs as possible - in line with the global trend - India’s aspirations to become a global power will not amount to much unless it defends its exclusive zone of influence in South Asia against China.
India, look ahead: A two-pronged strategy for boosting trade
17-Nov-2005
The current state of play in the Doha Round negotiations underlines the importance of stronger bilateral and regional trading agreements for India. As of now, India has concluded trading agreements with Sri Lanka, Thailand and Singapore. In the regional context, Safta and Bimstec are yet to really takeoff.
Singhing in a new free trade zone
27-Oct-2005 Economic Times
Move over World Trade Organization (WTO), regional trade arrangements are here to rule.
The dynamics of regional trading arrangements
20-Oct-2005 South Centre
There has been a spate of trade agreements signed between countries in recent years - from the same region and even beyond. And this may not necessarily have to do with the fact that it has been a tough going for the multilateral trading system. Regionalism may have its own dynamics.
SAARC committee of experts to meet on FTA issue
8-Sep-2005 Xinhua
The Committee of Experts of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) have decided to meet for yet another round and forward the outstanding issues of South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) to political level for final decision, a Nepali government official said Wednesday.
Sri Lanka to focus on putting its trade basket in order this year, before venturing into new agreements
9-Aug-2005
Sri Lanka’s Commerce Department says all recently started trade negotiations will go on hold over the rest of the year, until priority commitments are sorted out.
Dhaka again rejects Delhi’s FTA proposal
8-Aug-2005 News from Bangladesh
Bangladesh has once again outright rejected an Indian proposal for signing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with her, urging the counterpart to sign the proposed South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) for boosting the regional trade and commerce.
CECA and free trade agreements
27-Jul-2005 PIB
A Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between India and Singapore has been signed on the 29th June in New Delhi by the Prime Ministers of two countries.
FTA with neighbours
22-Jul-2005
The Bangladesh Ministry of Commerce has decided to engage consultants to conduct a study and identify benefits and possible risks of signing bilateral trade agreements like Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with neighbouring countries.
Bilateral Free Trade Agreement deal with neighbouring countries: consultants to point out benefits, risks
20-Jul-2005 Bangladesh Observer
The Bangladesh commerce ministry is going to consultants to run a study to identify the benefits and possible risks of signing any bilateral trade agreement (FTA) with neighbouring countries.
Tariff rows may delay launch of SAFTA
19-Jul-2005 News from Bangladesh
Bangladesh, Pakistan and India continue to get locked in the niceties of negotiations on exchange of tariff concessions, particularly for competing products such as textiles at a time when less than six months are left for the agreement on South Asia Free Trade Area (Safta) of the seven-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) to come into operation.
Longing for modest gains from SAFTA
26-Jun-2005 Financial Express
Much though economic integration is desirable, the SAARC nations will first have to create a politically harmonious subcontinent, and that is a formidable task. The ball is now in India’s court. It must take frantic efforts to wipe out elements of mistrust, shun big brotherly attitude and help restore confidence among its neighbours.
’FTA misusers will be punished’
4-Jun-2005
The Centre on Saturday warned that any misuse of the Free Trade Agreements (FTA) would lead to criminal prosecution of those involved in such practice.
Pakistan, Sri Lanka sign free trade pact
10-Feb-2005 Dawn
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have exchanged diplomatic notes to formalize the annextures in bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with a view to its operationalization between the two countries.
No trade negotiation before Safta implementation - Bangladesh Commerce Secretary
4-Jan-2005 Daily Star
The government will not move ahead with trade negotiations with any party before the South Asian Free Trade Area (Safta) gets implemented on January 1, 2006.
Labour: The spread of bilateral trade agreements
14-Dec-2004 GURN (135kb PDF)
This report looks at major Customs Unions, Free Trade Areas, and economic association agreements around the world, with particular attention to any clauses covering social issues, core labour standards and trade union participation.
Govt begins consultations with industries on SAFTA, BIMSTEC benefits
4-Nov-2004
The government has started a series of consultations with industries to have a clear-cut idea about the sectors that can enjoy the benefits of the SAFTA and BIMSTEC deals.