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Roh wants APEC to become bloc
Korean President Roh Moo-hyun Tuesday stressed the need for Asian and Pacific Rim countries to pursue economic integration like that of the European Union (EU) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). He said it would be more effective on a long-term basis to build a regional economic bloc, rather than to continue signing bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs).
RP-Japan trade talks hit snag
Negotiations regarding the Philippine-Japan trade accord may be delayed until 2006, four months behind the government’s schedule, because of the continued delay in the proceedings.
India-EU investment, trade pact in the offing
The sixth India-EU summit in New Delhi on September 7 is likely to be marked by a more definite move towards clinching a bilateral investment/trade agreement.
India hopes to expand scope of bilateral trade with Malaysia
India hopes to expand the scope and coverage of trade with Malaysia once a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between Malaysia and India is completed.
Free trade agreement: impact in Thailand
This booklet by FTA Watch is aimed at disseminating information to international civil society for the purpose of sharing the analyses and experience of the FTA struggle in Thailand.
Uribe and Toledo to analyze FTA with US
Presidents of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe, and Peru, Alejandro Toledo will analyze Monday the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which along with Ecuador, has been negotiated with the US since May 2004.
Macedonian Government endorses FTA with Kosovo
The Macedonian Government has endorsed on Thursday the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Kosovo, although Kosovar side has initiated its implementation a month ago.
Battle to make free trade fair
The political leaders of Thailand and Japan met last week in Tokyo to clear away some hurdles in the important negotiations for a bilateral Free Trade Agreement. This FTA, like others recently signed and vaunted by the government, is slightly misnamed because they do not even aim at actual, laissez-faire commerce.
Mittal Steel to launch Netherlands vs. Czech Republic arbitration
Netherlands-based Mittal Steel, disqualified from the Vítkovice Steel privatization, says that in late September it will launch international arbitration against the Czech state.
Saudi Arabia and the US sign bilateral free trade agreement
A member of the Saudi delegation negotiating the Kingdom’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) told Asharq Al Awsat his government and the United States had signed a bilateral free trade agreement and expected the U.S Congress to make an announcement on the subject next week following its ratification.
India Inc wants FTA in services with EU: study
On the eve of UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair’s arrival in the country for the India-EU Summit, India Inc. represented by the country’s top CEOs on Monday favoured signing of a special Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) in the area of services, given India’s strength in knowledge driven sectors and changing demographic profile in EU, which will soon face a shortage of trained manpower for future economic growth.
Mexican farm union demands trade reform
The leader of Mexico’s largest farm union has demanded a review of the North American Free Trade Agreement before final tariff reductions take effect in 2008.
AKBAYAN solon demands full disclosure of lopsided trade deal with Japan
AKBAYAN Rep. Mayong Aguja today scored the Department of Trade and Industry and the Executive for failing to fully disclose and inform the public of the exact contents of the Japan Philippines EPA.
Joint press statement: Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement
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.
Free-trade deal not in US trip agenda
Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila said the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and the US is not in the agenda of President Gloria Arroyo’s state visit to the US.
Greens’s FTA stand no problem for PM
The Prime Minister appears prepared to let the Green party vote against trade treaties if it goes into coalition with Labour.
NTC to clarify Thai stand in FTA talks
Thailand is preparing briefing papers for the technical round of the US-Thailand free trade area (FTA) agreement talks that will make clear the country will not open satellite-based international telecom services or direct broadcasting in the near future.
Mandelson in ’illegal’ trade move
In advice for a new report by the development charity ActionAid a lawyer in Matrix Chambers today warns that European Union trade commissioner Peter Mandelson is violating a legal duty to Africa by undermining alternatives to his trade plans which, critics fear, threaten the jobs of millions of poor people.
Thai FTA defers sticking points
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and his visiting Thai counterpart, Thaksin Shinawatra, agreed Thursday on a basic accord to lower mutual trade barriers that left key decisions on high tariffs on Japanese cars and Thai rice unresolved.
Preferential trade agreements in the Asia-Pacific region
This IMF working paper of July 2005 describes the proliferation of PTAs in the Asia-Pacific region, discusses their characteristics and implementation, and assesses their potential effects.