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CRS Report for Congress: Intellectual property and FTAs
2-Jan-2006
Some observers believe that certain FTA provisions may lock the United States into current intellectual property policies, inhibiting opportunities for future reform. Others are concerned that under existing multilateral agreements, the intellectual property obligations found within one FTA may extend beyond that particular treaty partner. Some perceive FTAs to be an inappropriate and unfair vehicle for international intellectual property reforms due to the strong bargaining position of the United States.
Opposition delays free trade implementation
2-Jan-2006 The New Standard
As CAFTA member-nations struggle to comply with the free trade pact’s requirements, opponents of the deal say the delays show how unpopular and undemocratic the mandated reforms are.
SAFTA comes into effect; Pak yet to ratify
1-Jan-2006 Economic Times
South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), paving way for free trade of goods among countries of the region, came into being on Sunday but Pakistan was yet to complete the formality of ratifying it.
Investment agreement signed with Switzerland
1-Jan-2006 Stabroek News
Guyana and the Swiss Confederation recently signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty which will facilitate an increase in Swiss investments in the local economy.
BIMSTEC finalizes dispute resolution rules
1-Jan-2006
Trade Negotiation Committee has finalized rules for settling disputes in BIMSTEC free trade agreement. It has, however, failed to converge on the percentage of value addition for rules of origin.
Ecuador, Colombia to have talks on FTA with US
31-Dec-2005
Ecuadoran President Alfredo Palacio will travel to Bogota in January to discuss with his Colombian counterpart, Alvaro Uribe, a free trade agreement (FTA) that their countries are negotiating with the United States.
Australian businesses reap rewards of Thai free trade agreement
30-Dec-2005 Asia Pulse
The Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) has benefited Australian companies since it began in January through expanded opportunities and increased market access, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile, said.
The great maze: Regional and bilateral free trade agreements in Asia
30-Dec-2005 UNDP
This UNDP paper is divided into four main parts. Parts I, II and III examine the phenomenon of FTA proliferation and the underlying forces and motivations of key players at work. Part IV builds on the analysis to address the impact of the FTA explosion on human development policy choices in key areas such as agriculture, textiles, rules of origin, intellectual property, trade in services, and investment.
Bolivia: A new weave for ALBA
30-Dec-2005 Dissident Voice
The decisive numbers of Evo Morales’ election victory in South America’s poorest country give him the legitimacy he needs to redistribute Bolivia’s wealth in favor of the impoverished and excluded majority. But he faces enormous pressure from foreign corporations and international financial institutions to continue promoting superficial economic growth for the benefit of a small elite.
Tangled web we weave
30-Dec-2005
The hundreds of bilateral and regional trade deals around or being crafted is creating a brave new world for business, reports Daniel Hilken
CAFTA to miss New Year’s Day target
30-Dec-2005
The Central American Free Trade Agreement, a Bush administration priority passed by the House in July after a bruising political fight, will not take effect New Year’s Day, the target date set by the White House.
Free trade regime between Pakistan and China from Jan 1
30-Dec-2005
Pakistan and China are set to launch the much awaited free trade regime under the Early Harvest Programme (EHP) from January 1.
Industries eye qiz option
30-Dec-2005 Business Monthly
When representatives of Egypt, Israel and the US met in Cairo last December, they signed a historic agreement that more or less linked Egypt’s industrial success to its willingness to cooperate with its traditional foe, Israel.
CRS report for Congress: US-Thailand FTA negotiations
30-Dec-2005
The US-Thailand FTA negotiations are of interest to Congress because (1) an agreement would require passage of implementing legislation to go into effect; (2) an agreement could increase U.S. exports of goods, services, and investment, with particular benefits for agricultural exports; and (3) an agreement could increase competition for U.S. import-competing industries such as textiles and apparel and light trucks, thereby raising the issue of job losses.
Uruguayan congress passes investment treaty with United States
29-Dec-2005 Washington File
The Uruguayan government has ratified a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with the United States that is intended to enhance bilateral relations as well as trade and investment ties, according to the U.S. State Department.
Malawi, Mozambique to sign bilateral trade accord
29-Dec-2005
Mozambique and Malawi are to liberalise trade between the two countries, under a preferential trade agreement to be signed on Wednesday, trade and industry ministry officials said here Tuesday.
Talks on EHP with Thailand in Feb
29-Dec-2005
Pakistan and Thailand will hold second round of study group meeting in February next to pave the way for initiation of talks on the early harvest programme (EHP) leading to zero rate of duty.
Trade liberalisation without co-operation a no-no
29-Dec-2005
William Jefferson Clinton once said that “the opposition to globalisation in the world is rooted in people who feel left out, left behind and stepped on in other countries.” Apparently, having accepted our status as doormats, the developing world has once again sent our highest authorities to the other end of the world to continue to hammer out a trade deal that maintains our city-mouse/country-mouse dynamic.
Government insists it met with Free Trade requirements
29-Dec-2005
The Dominican government reiterated today that the country “met the requirements” and “is ready” to enter the Free Trade Agreement with Central America and the United States (DR-CAFTA), but that it decided to postpone entering free trade until next July.
Trade under Safta from Jan in doldrums
28-Dec-2005 The News International
With three days left to meet the deadline, the trade under South Asia Free Trade Agreement (Safta) among the Saarc counties from January 1, next year is in doldrums as Sri Lanka says it will ratify Safta draft some time in April next year.