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investment | BITs

Mittal Steel to launch Netherlands vs. Czech Republic arbitration
5-Sep-2005
Netherlands-based Mittal Steel, disqualified from the Vítkovice Steel privatization, says that in late September it will launch international arbitration against the Czech state.
Joint press statement: Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement
3-Sep-2005 MOFA
On 1 September 2005, Mr. Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister of Japan and Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand met in Tokyo to jointly announce that agreement in principle has been reached between the Japanese side and the Thai side on all major elements of the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement, on the basis of a series of negotiations since February 2004.
Myths about bilateral free trade
31-Aug-2005 Dawn
Of late, there has been an outbreak of activism in the realm of bilateral free trade and investment agreements across the world. Many developing countries have found themselves swept off by the wave of bilateralism, not realizing it only weakens the cause of multilateralism.
Benefits and costs of FTAs
30-Aug-2005 The Star
Negotiations on bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) are going on at a blazing speed worldwide. Not much is known on how these talks are going. But they have a lot of effects on local industries and farms, on medicine prices and on what can be included in future development strategies.
Pakistan-US differences over BIT persists
24-Aug-2005 Dawn
Pakistan has asked the United States to sign the proposed Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) by dropping its demand that in case of an arbitration only the Washington based International Centre for Settlement of Disputes (ICSID) should be approached for a decision.
India adopts ’Look West’ Asia policy
23-Aug-2005
On the lines of its successful "Look East" policy to promote trade and investment with its Asian neighbours, India aims to adopt a similar policy for West Asia, an external affairs ministry official said here Tuesday.
Uruguayan Senate debates US BIT, looks for common Mercosur posture on BITs
23-Aug-2005 INVEST-SD
The Uruguayan Senate remains deeply divided on whether to move forward with the ratification of a US-Uruguayan Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT).
Botswana forges partnership with Mauritius
19-Aug-2005 Mmegi
Botswana Minister of Trade and Industry, Neo Moroka yesterday signed a bilateral investment treaty on promotion and reciprocal protection on investment with Mauritius envoy, Madan Dulloo.
India’s new investment norm
17-Aug-2005 Rediff
The tax holiday provided under the India-Singapore agreement, which Indian companies may take advantage of, is part of a trend that will make it increasingly difficult to tax capital in almost any country.
Saudi, Kuwait want India to give ’S’pore treatment’
16-Aug-2005 Economic Times
India’s decision to grant tax sops to Singapore-based FIIs under the comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA) has prompted oil-rich Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to pitch for similar concessions in the double taxation avoidance treaties that are being negotiated with Indian tax authorities.
A toxic trade-off
14-Aug-2005
Pressing for passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement at a White House news conference in May, President Bush made the case that a vote for CAFTA was a vote for democracy: "By transforming our hemisphere into a powerful free trade area, we will promote democratic governance, human rights and economic liberty for everyone," he said.
Philippines, US trade talks generate positive results
10-Aug-2005 Asia Pulse
The Philippines-US Trade and Investment Council (TIC) recently held a bilateral consultation. The Philippine panel was informed during the TIC that the US Trade Representative will soon publish the results of a study on the prospects of an ASEAN-US FTA.
Critics urged to look at long-term gains
9-Aug-2005
Foreign direct investment is poised to increase steadily in the near future as a result of new free-trade agreements, according to Somkid Jatusripitak, a deputy prime minister and commerce minister.
Tribunal OKs treaty-shopping for better arbitration options in Gas Natural case
5-Aug-2005 http://ita.law.uvic.ca/alphabetical...
Another international arbitral tribunal has weighed in on the question as to whether “Most-Favored Nation” treatment offers foreign investors access to more favorable dispute resolution options found in other treaties.
NBD outlines major US objectives of FTAs
5-Aug-2005
National Bank of Dubai in a report outlined the US main objectives from regional trade agreements, the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
Nicaragua signs ARPPI with Luxembourg, Belgium (Eng/Esp/Fra)
3-Aug-2005
Nicaragua has recently signed Agreements on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments (ARPPI) with Luxembourg and Belgium.
CAFTA’s debt trap
20-Jul-2005
Criticism of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) currently being considered by the U.S. Congress has focused heavily on concerns that the treaty would devastate Central American farmers who would be forced to compete with heavily subsidized U.S. agribusiness.
Free or even fair?
11-Jul-2005 Bangkok Post
As the 4th round of Thailand-US free-trade negotiations start today in Montana, a key issue will be the shape of any future intellectual-property regime. The survival of Thai jasmine rice, and the people who grow it, may very well depend on whatever system is finally agreed upon.
AU’s Ministerial Declaration on EPA negotiations
30-Jun-2005 AU
EPAs should serve as instruments for development and poverty reduction. They must also support the deepening of intra-African trade.
Bilateral Treaties to Promote and Protect Foreign Investment within the Americas: an alternative to the FTAA
29-Jun-2005 Argenpress
Sovereign states are the original right bearers. They have to denounce bilateral investment treaties or their most arbitrary clauses following the procedures provided, in accordance with the legal principles of democratic constitutions; to recover their legislative and jurisdictional powers, by retrieving their inherent jurisdiction which had been delegated to international foreign tribunals, allowing them to rule on the general regulatory or contractual policies of independent nations.