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South Africa

Friend and foe
8-Mar-2006
China is muscling its way not only into the global economy but also into Africa, a world that SA companies might have thought was their oyster after the walls of apartheid came down a decade ago.
SA must act on Zim property rights
7-Mar-2006
The government should stop procrastinating over the implementation of an international agreement which would protect South African property rights in Zimbabwe - now that Harare planned to nationalise mines, says the official opposition.
South African Custom Union planning for FTA with India
5-Mar-2006 PTI
The South African Customs Union is in talks with the Indian government for signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to enhance the trade and business between both the countries.
No to free trade with US
1-Mar-2006 Mail & Guardian
Trade experts say the United States is demanding far deeper market access than South Africa is willing to give, particularly in the area of services that are covered by regulatory protection rather than tariffs.
SA wary of calls to broaden EU trade pact
16-Feb-2006
SA’s chief trade negotiator, Xavier Carim, said yesterday that it was premature for the European Union (EU) to call for a large-scale expansion of the free trade agreement between the 25-nation bloc and SA.
EU-SA free trade agreement stalls
8-Feb-2006 Business Report
The free trade agreement reached between South Africa and the EU on automotive products in November last year has run into trouble and has not been implemented.
India-Brazil-South Africa FTA distinct possibility: Govt
11-Oct-2005 NewIndPress
Terming an India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Free Trade Agreement as a “distinct possibility”, the Indian government said it is looking at other ways of enhancing trade relationship with the two countries.
South Africa: trade beat
5-Oct-2005 Business Day
Trade talks appear to have picked up pace in the latter part of the year. SA has another free-trade deal in the bag and talks with the US are scheduled to resume after a year-long stall.
SA signs free trade pacts in Middle East
29-Sep-2005 Business Report
South African exporters will now have more access to Kuwait’s market after trade and industry minister Mandisi Mpahlwa yesterday signed a free trade agreement with the oil-rich Middle East country. The deal with Kuwait was concluded a day after Mpahlwa signed a free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), also an oil producer.
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.
S. Korea, S. Africa to discuss possible FTA
24-Jun-2005 Yonhap
South Korea and South Africa will hold talks next week in Pretoria to discuss a variety of issues, including the possible signing of a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), South Korean officials said Thursday.
SA to push for agreement to protect assets in Zimbabwe
6-Jun-2005
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.
Singapore, SA eye trade pact
7-May-2005
Singapore and South Africa have agreed to begin free trade talks later this year, as the wealthy city-state seeks to expand its economic access to African states.
Free trade with China is key
7-May-2005
Economic diplomacy was "a central pivot" around which the South African Foreign Affairs department was anchoring its efforts to address poverty and underdevelopment in South Africa and the continent, deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz Pahad said on Friday.
Least favored nation: Impact of EU trade agreements on US agriculture
30-Apr-2005 FAS
A review of European Union free trade agreements in agriculture - looking at Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Chile - and the impact on US interests.
Italy claims SA in breach of treaty
23-Mar-2005 Business Day
The minerals and energy department is engaged in talks with Italian companies operating in SA over possible breaches of the SA-Italy bilateral investment treaty in the implementation of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act.
Bush on top means continuity in South Africa-US relations
10-Nov-2004
America will continue to enter into bilaterals with states it views strategically.
Suspend trade talks with China, says Cosatu
24-Sep-2004
South Africa’s trade negotiations with China should be suspended until their effect on the local economy had been studied, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said on Friday.
Business Urged to Monitor Free-Trade Deals Closely
22-Sep-2004
The National Council of Trade Unions (Nactu) urged the business community yesterday to aggressively interrogate government’s action on job security and on the free-trade agreements that were being concluded with other countries.