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Making free trade fair
15-Aug-2006
Ukrit Kungsawanich, a fruit grower in Rayong, was worried when he read in the news that a US company is trying to patent a drink made with mangosteen extract.
Seoul, Washington exchange initial proposals on tariff cuts for FTA
15-Aug-2006
South Korea and the United States exchanged initial tariff cut proposals for manufactured goods, agricultural products and textiles ahead of their third round of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations next month, the government said Tuesday.
Too many trade pacts seen driving up costs
15-Aug-2006 INQ7
The proliferation of regional and bilateral free trade agreements in the Asia-Pacific, coupled with the failure of global trade talks, is driving up transaction costs for business despite the decrease in tariffs.
Malawian farmers union wary of EU trade deal
15-Aug-2006
Farmers in Malawi have warned government to tread carefully before endorsing the European Union’s Economic Partnership Agreement, saying signing the deal will put the country’s agricultural products at the risk of not finding the international market.
Azurix wins $165 million vs Argentina in latest ICSID ruling
15-Aug-2006
Former Enron Corp. (ENE) water unit Azurix Corp. has been awarded $165 million against Argentina in the latest ruling on dozens of international arbitration claims brought against the country by foreign companies. A person familiar with the situation confirmed Tuesday that both parties were informed Monday of the decision by a tribunal at the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes, or the ICSID.
Malays ’have right to Malaysia’
15-Aug-2006
Malaysia on Monday said it would issue a "big fat no" to any nation or group that asked it to dismantle a system of positive discrimination for its majority ethnic Malays as part of trade talks.
Beazley takes aim at China trade deal
15-Aug-2006
Labor leader Kim Beazley has accused a China-based Australian of growing rich on Australian intellectual property and wants the Government to slowly ditch trade negotiations with China.
Executive committee is established to oversee Taiwan-Guatemala FTA
15-Aug-2006
n executive committee was established in Taipei yesterday to oversee the execution of a Taiwan-Guatemala free trade agreement (FTA) that took effect July 1.
FTAs won’t change bumi policy
15-Aug-2006
The Government will not give up its affirmative action policy to help bumiputra contractors even if it agrees on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States, said Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz.
Panama and CR to renew FTA Talks
15-Aug-2006
A team of Panamanian experts went to Costa Rica Monday, where the 4th Round of Negotiation between both nations looking for the signing of a Bilateral Protocol of the Free Trade Treaty will take place.
Govt in no hurry to complete FTA with US: Rafidah
14-Aug-2006
The Malaysian government is in no hurry to complete the free trade agreement (FTA) with the US, Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said.
Manufacturers await free trade decision
14-Aug-2006
As free trade deals go, it’s got the potential to be a whopper. The Australian manufacturing industry though, is nervously awaiting the outcome of a Federal Cabinet debate today on a free trade deal with China. Cabinet ministers will consider if it should offer to cut tariffs on Chinese imports in return for greater access to China’s services industry.
Industry players hold key to US-Malaysia FTA success: Rafidah
14-Aug-2006
Industry players, not the Government, hold the key to the successful conclusion of the proposed US-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said.
Mercosur moots trilateral FTA with India and SACU
14-Aug-2006
During the triangular IBSA (India, Brazil and South Africa) political summit on September 13 in Brazil, Mercosur is likely to propose South African Customs Union (SACU) and India the creation of a working group to explore the modalities of a trilateral free trade agreement (T-FTA) among them.
Indo-Thai FTA unlikely to take off this year
14-Aug-2006 Economic Times
It seems unlikely that India and Thailand would graduate to a full-fledged free trade agreement (FTA) this year despite the successful implementation of the early harvest programme. The political turmoil in Thailand leading to elections in mid-October coupled with the uncertainty in FTA talks between India and Asean has pushed the India-Thai FTA talks to the backburner.
Salem outlines measures to protect workers’ rights in QIZs - Jordan
14-Aug-2006 MENAFN
Jordan’s Minister of Labour Bassem Salem on Sunday met with US Ambassador David Hale and delegates of the Office of the US Trade Representative to outline efforts to safeguard workers’ rights in the country’s Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZ).
Canberra’s cold feet risk lukewarm FTA
13-Aug-2006
How is the debate inside cabinet about what should be put on the table for the free trade agreement with China and what should be kept in the cupboard, playing in Beijing’s secretive pagodas of power?
Singapore, SA closer to Free Trade Agreement
13-Aug-2006 SABC News
The first step has been taken to establish a Free Trade Agreement between Singapore and South Africa.
Zimbabwe: Government move on Bippas rekindles hope
13-Aug-2006
Government has finished Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (Bippas) negotiations with France, Italy and Indonesia, a move analysts say gives a glimmer of hope to other countries whose nationals lost their agro-ventures during the land reform programme.
Lost in statistics
13-Aug-2006 Bangkok Post
The figures show Thais are winning with free trade - yet many of the nation’s small farmers, struggling just to scrape by, are looking to lessons learned around the world.