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Japan’s policy to strengthen economic partnership
– Promoting Economic Partnership Agreements with closely related countries and regions
Opponents predict defeat for Central American deal
The Bush administration will sign the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) with five developing nations Friday, but opposition Democrats and civil society groups predict the deal will fail in Congress.
US and Central America sign historic free trade agreement
U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick and Ministers of five Central American countries today signed the U.S. Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) a historic agreement that will eliminate tariffs and trade barriers and expand regional opportunities for the workers, manufacturers, consumers, farmers, ranchers and service providers of all the countries.
US begins latest round of free trade talks with SACU less hopeful about year-end deal
The US and SACU began four days of new talks aimed at concluding a free trade agreement by the end of this year, with some U.S. officials now saying, however, that the year-end deadline for completing the talks will likely be missed.
Dhaka to finally sign BIMST-EC trade deal
Dhaka is finally going to sign the Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand — Economic Cooperation (BIMST-EC) Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Diplomatic gaffe during Chile trade deal
A diplomatic gaffe by "jet-lagged" Trade Minister Jim Sutton is thought unlikely to deter Chile from signing a three-way trade deal with New Zealand and Singapore next year.
US-Singapore FTA leads to partial lifting of chewing gum ban
For 12 years, Singaporeans lived in fear of being caught committing the most heinous crime imaginable: chewing gum.Now the tightly controlled city-state has lifted its ban on gum - but only registered users will be allowed to indulge.
US Bilateral Trade Agenda: Lowered Expectations
The way U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick jets around the world, seeking to cut deals that would knock down trade barriers at home and abroad, it might seem as if the political furor over free trade and job losses at home were a minor flap.
Nigeria: Unions Seek Ways Out of Cotonou Pact Dilemma
As the impact of the trade agreement between the disadvantaged African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries on the one hand, and the advantaged European countries on the other hand, known as Lome 1-4 Agreements between 1975 and 2000, and the new agreement called "Cotonou Agreement" signed on June 23, 2003 between the developing countries of 77 ACP and European Union (EU).
NZ-China: Free trade deal with China an insurance policy, Cullen says
A free trade agreement with China is an insurance policy against the collapse of World Trade Organisation talks, Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today.
Common Quality Norms Are Vital In SAFTA Trade
Countries across the globe are realising the importance of regional trading blocks. The South Asian countries too have now felt the urgency of such an arrangement.
NZ-Chile: Chile pact has potential to rival huge northern blocs
A new trade deal with Chile could be a significant spur for the development of a Southern Hemisphere counterweight to huge northern pacts such as the European Union and the North American free trade agreement, a study by Victoria University researchers says.
China-Australia: Free trade foreplay to speed up
Australia and China have agreed to accelerate overtures that could lead to a free-trade agreement, after talks between Trade Minister Mark Vaile and top-ranking Chinese ministers in Beijing.
My vision of China free trade role: academic
China should become the focal point of an East Asian free trade zone to rival other blocks such as the European Union and the North American Free Trade Area (Nafta), a leading academic claims.
Japan Needs FTAs
Free trade agreements are now becoming the rule in world trade and Japan is at a big disadvantage if it does not take part in the game.
Prescriptions may rise 30% under FTA: academic
The free trade agreement with the United States would lead to Australians paying 30 per cent more for prescription drugs, a leading American academic warned today.
Turkey considers FTA with Bahrain
Turkey was searching possibilities to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Bahrain, which was getting prepared to sign one with the United States, Turkish Finance Minister said on Thursday.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka FTA talks on June 4-5
A four-member Pakistani delegation will visit Sri Lanka from June 3 to June 10 to finalise the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the government of Sri Lanka and to attend the third meeting of the Committee of Experts (COE) on carrying forward the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) process.
Jordan, Israel upgrade trade accord
Jordan and Israel upgraded their trade accord Sunday in hopes of doing more business with Europe.
Businesses Lukewarm on Korea-Japan FTA
In contrast to the recent push for adopting a free trade agreement (FTA) with Chile, leading business organizations, including the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) and Korea Federation of Small Business (KFSB), take a cautious approach to back ongoing FTA talks with Japan.