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Malaysia and America as free trade partners?
17-Jun-2006 Daily Times
The American-backed FTA is certainly not designed to serve the interest of ordinary Malaysian or American workers (it may well lead to the practice of dumping and out-sourcing instead), but it will invariably open up the Malaysian economy to the rigours and discipline of the global market.
Bolivia changes mind on US trade deal
17-Jun-2006 AP
The government of President Evo Morales said Friday it hopes to negotiate a free trade agreement with the U.S., a policy turnaround apparently influenced by pressure from business groups.
US expects Malaysia FTA talks to conclude by year-end
17-Jun-2006 Business Times
The US is pleased with the progress of the first round of the US-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, and expects it to conclude by the end of the year, after four more rounds.
Gulf, EU show flexibility in reaching a compromise
17-Jun-2006 Gulf News
A free trade agreement (FTA) between the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and 25-member European Union (EU) could be clinched as early as year-end as there seems to be a possibility that the two sides will relax rules related to investments and rules of origin.
Najib: KL will review ‘lopsided’ FTA with Japan
17-Jun-2006 The Star
Malaysia will review its free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan following claims that it is lopsided, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
Bahraini-US FTA likely to go into effect on August 1st
17-Jun-2006 BNA
A US source, close to the Free Trade Agreement negotiations, said it is likely the Bahraini US commercial agreement will go into effect in early August 2006 after Bahrain endorses all Intellectual Copyright Laws.
Korea, EU set to start FTA talks
16-Jun-2006
The chief of South Korea’s trade promotion agency Friday called for Korea to pursue a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) as soon as possible.
US draws distinct lines on what Congress will reject in Korea FTA
16-Jun-2006 Yonhap
A senior US senator drew clear lines Wednesday on what the Congress will not accept in a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea, including imports from an industrial complex inside North Korea.
America’s free trade pacts driving illegal timber trade
16-Jun-2006 Antara News
US free trade agreements are accelerating the destruction of tropical forests in Asia and Latin America, according to a report released today by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA).
Japanese official: FTA talks with China are possible in 2008
15-Jun-2006 People’s Daily
Mr. Osamu Watanabe, Chairman of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) recently told China Youth Daily in Beijing that talks on the free trade zone between Japan and China were not likely to be launched until 2008 when China fully honors its WTO commitment.
Taiwan to sign free trade pact with Nicaragua
15-Jun-2006 CNA
Taiwan will sign a free trade agreement with Nicaragua June 16 to further boost bilateral trade and economic cooperation, government officials said Wednesday.
Council warns against free trade with South Korea
15-Jun-2006 The Record
Kitchener joined a growing list of Canadian municipalities worried about the impact a proposed free-trade agreement with South Korea will have on the crucial automotive sector of southwestern Ontario’s economy.
Musharraf says Sino-Pak agreement on free trade will be finalised this year
15-Jun-2006 Daily Times
Pakistan can be an energy corridor for China and it wants the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline extended up to China, President General Pervez Musharraf told a group of Chinese traders during a meeting on Wednesday.
Baseline positions of Bolivian Government for association agreement with the EU
15-Jun-2006 Movimiento Boliviano de lucha contra el TLC y el ALCA
If the CAN countries work out their differences, including establishment of a common tariff, EU-CAN talks could get under way in January 2007, and the association agreement, which includes political, economic, and trade chapters, would come online in May 2008.
Japan Inc smitten by Vietnam
15-Jun-2006 Asia Times
Japanese firms’ investment spree in Vietnam comes amid an increasing number of free-trade agreements (FTAs) being concluded or negotiated in East Asia.
Humayun proposes PTA talks with Kabul
15-Jun-2006 Dawn
Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan on Wednesday suggested initiation of talks on preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Afghanistan, which would lead to free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Bilderbergers slither away
15-Jun-2006 Tehran Times
Sources say Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s challenge to the Free Trade Area of the Americas was on the top of the agenda of the Bilderberg Group meeting in Canada last week.
EU and Egypt fail to unblock association deal
15-Jun-2006 Reuters
Egypt and the European Union failed to wrap up a "neighbourhood action plan" because of differences over human rights in Egypt and nuclear weapons in the Middle East, an EU official said yesterday.
India seeks Japanese investment
15-Jun-2006 Times of India
If you can’t beat them, join them. That seems to be India’s mantra in its attempt to get more Japanese investments in the manufacturing sector, with some companies using New Delhi’s bilateral trade agreements to use another country as an export base for the Indian consumer.
Bush, Uribe discuss details of trade pact
15-Jun-2006 AP
President Bush reassured Colombian President Alvaro Uribe on Wednesday that the United States would work quickly to sort out remaining details of a free trade pact signed in February.