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Africa free trade agreement must be rolled out by January after pandemic delay - Secretariat
The AfCFTA Secretariat is at advances stages of concluding phase one of the agreement which deals with the trading of goods and services, said the Secretary General.
CAN Europe policy briefing on the Energy Charter Treaty
The treaty is incompatible with the EU’s climate commitments and the current modernisation process will not fix this, as the necessary reforms are either opposed by other contracting parties or not being discussed.
Update on the future of ISDS: UNCITRAL working group III publishes draft working papers
The working papers focus on an appellate mechanism and enforcement issues and the selection and appointment of ISDS tribunal members.
Human rights in investment treaty disputes – what’s on the horizon?
Given the dynamic relationship between the protection of foreign investment and human rights, investors wishing to rely upon investment treaty provisions should fully integrate human rights considerations into their investment decisions and operations.
EU, UK so far fail to bridge gaps to secure trade deal
The European Union and Britain have so far failed to reach agreement on three most persistent sticking points in talks.
Russia ratifies Serbia’s free trade deal with EAEU
The upper house of the Russian Parliament, said it has ratified the free trade agreement signed by Serbia with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Iran-EAEU FTA taskforce holds online meeting
Converting the current temporary agreement into a permanent one requires the development of the current infrastructure.
Japan’s cabinet approves new economic pact with UK
The Japanese government has finalized a bill on Wednesday for a new economic partnership agreement with the United Kingdom. The government aims to seek swift Diet approval so that the deal will take effect on January 1, 2021.
China’s Xi says country will speed up trade talks with EU, Japan and South Korea
In a major speech on Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping talked up his country’s plans for playing a greater role in global trade, without mentioning ongoing tensions with the US.
Indonesian trade minister discussed the RCEP draft at the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ meeting
Minister of Trade Agus Suparmanto attended a virtual ’special caucus’ meeting of 10 ASEAN Economic Ministers discussed status of the RCEP draft and consolidated ASEAN countries’ position in preparation for the signing of RCEP agreement in this year.
Australia calls for China to ’play by the rules’ after reports of multibillion-dollar trade bans
The Morrison government has called on China to come clean on whether a range of Australian export sectors worth billions of dollars a year will face new curbs from Friday amid increasing tensions between the two countries.
Pakistan, Bosnia sign trade agreements and more
Pakistan and Bosnia on Wednesday agreed to strengthen the ties and improve trade between the two countries.
Why is Europe quiet about Thailand’s protests?
Sources say that Brussels is keeping its powder dry in case the situation deteriorates further in Thailand. Yet it doesn’t want to annoy Bangkok pre-emptively lest it weakens relations.
Kenya, UK agree terms of post-Brexit trade pact
Kenya, UK have concluded an economic partnership agreement under the stalled EU-EAC EPA’s text which Kenya ratified in October 2016.
Searching for value in the Japan–UK trade agreement
The UK has taken the first step in its post-Brexit FTA agenda by signing the Japan–UK CEPA on 23 October. Although the UK government called the deal a ‘historic free trade agreement’, its main value appears to be political — especially for UK domestic politics.
Growing trade, investment flows now hallmark of BRI
China’s efforts to sign FTAs, double taxation agreements, multilateral/bilateral investment agreements, and information technology agreements, effectively facilitate trade and investment activities with BRI-related economies.
Trump or Biden, trade deals still threaten Britain’s NHS
Whether a UK deal with an ’America First’ president, or Biden’s more traditional global trade stance, battles ahead are likely if Britain is to protect its NHS and avoid higher drug prices.
Pakistan seeks to reform int’l investment regime
Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved the formation of a working group of experts for reforming Pakistan’s international investment regime.
Labour rights key to resuming EU-Thailand trade talks
With a possible resumption of talks on the EU-Thailand free trade agreement on the cards, the European Union is being urged to require labour reform as a precondition to negotiations.
UK and US confident trade talks are ’on track’ - UK trade ministry
Britain and the United states are confident that ongoing trade talks are heading towards a comprehensive agreement, the British trade ministry said.