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Free trade agreements draw flak
6-Dec-2005
Thailand and Australia - two countries at the forefront of a regional proliferation of bilateral free trade agreements - will be worth watching at the World Trade Organization talks starting in Hong Kong on December 13.
Hyundai to put up plant in RP soon
6-Dec-2005 Manila Times
Hyundai Motor Co. will put up a car-assembly plant in the Philippines after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and South Korea forge a free-trade agreement, according to the Korean carmaker’s sole distributor in Manila.
FTA boosts Thai-Australian trade by nearly 50% in first 10 months of 2005
5-Dec-2005
The value of bilateral trade between Thailand and Australia soared nearly 50% during the first 10 months of 2005, compared to the corresponding period of last year, thanks to the free trade area (FTA) agreement signed and implemented by the two countries one year ago.
Uribe: Free-trade deal to be fair
5-Dec-2005
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe pledged that the free-trade agreement that his government is negotiating with the United States will be fair, although not ideal.
Ensuring rights of distributors
5-Dec-2005
Exclusive rights to distribute particular products in Viet Nam will be addressed in a new decree being drafted by the Ministry of Trade. The draft Decree on Trading Enterprises promises to be the first of several regulations addressing the concerns of foreign-invested enterprises seeking guarantee of distribution rights in Viet Nam.
Guatemala FTA passes first reading
5-Dec-2005
A Taiwan-Guatemala free-trade agreement (FTA) passed the first reading in the Legislative Yuan yesterday and is expected to become effective on Jan. 1.
Bleak outlook for Peru under FTA
5-Dec-2005 Prensa Latina
In a study commissioned by the World Bank, GRADE researcher Javier Escobal said tariff deregulation of sensitive farm products under the agreement will mean losses of about 370 million dollars for rural families.
Morocco-UAE: What happened to the FTAs?
5-Dec-2005
Recent difficulties in the implementation of Morocco’s free trade agreement with the UAE have raised questions regarding the kingdom’s readiness for trade liberalisation. They might also further delay the entry into force of more crucial free trade deals.
Bahrain-US FTA ’will spur competitiveness’
5-Dec-2005
A free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the US and Bahrain will help remove regulatory barriers to trade in Bahrain’s markets, but it is up to the country to improve competitiveness, a new study found.
Parliament ratifies FTA with Singapore
5-Dec-2005
Korea’s National Assembly has overwhelmingly ratified a free trade agreement with Singapore. The vote was 220:5 in favor with three abstentions.
Free trade agreement between EU and GCC imminent
5-Dec-2005
The European Union and GCC are expected to conclude talks on establishing a free trade deal in the near future. The deal, which has been a long time in the making, is likely to be sealed by the end of the current year, according to Abdurrahman Al Attiyah, the GCC Secretary General.
US, Andean nations narrow differences on IP in trade talks
4-Dec-2005 Intellectual Property Watch
Andean countries in late November narrowed differences with the United States over intellectual property protections in negotiations over a US-Andean bilateral free trade agreement, but divisions over market access for agriculture have likely delayed a final agreement until next year, at least for Colombia and Ecuador.
Bush reaches out to Democrats on trade
4-Dec-2005 Wall Street Journal
President Bush is starting to embrace a different political strategy for getting trade agreements through Congress: bipartisanship.
Chile, Peru near-FTA likely to be reached in new round
1-Dec-2005
Chile and Peru will likely reach a deal for a free trade agreement in everything but name at an upcoming round of negotiations, Peru’s ambassador to Chile said Thursday.
Pakistan wants free trade agreement with US
1-Dec-2005
Pakistan is pressing for a bigger reward for its alliance with the United States in the war on terror, with the country’s Commerce Minister calling for a Free Trade Agreement that would open up the American market to Pakistani goods.
Pakistan, US agree to bilateral investment agreement
1-Dec-2005
Pakistan and United States’ have agreed over a mutual investment agreement that will smoothen the way to talks for a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.
Seoul to sign trade deal with ASEAN
1-Dec-2005
Korea is expected to sign a framework agreement for free trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in mid-December.
Farmers fight FTA in Ecuador
30-Nov-2005 Prensa Latina
Representatives of farmer organizations from Andean nations began a meeting in this capital on Monday to define actions and strategies to fight the free trade area with the United States (FTA).
Australia pressured over US FTA: Crowe
29-Nov-2005
Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe says the Australian government has buckled to United States pressure over free trade.
Canadian and Japanese Business Leaders Meet to Advance Bilateral and Global Trade and Investment Talks
26-Nov-2005
Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE)/Nippon Keidanren Joint Statement