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Nam, SA fail to sign new EU trade deal
26-Nov-2007
Namibia and South Africa were the only two southern African countries that did not sign Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) for a new trade deal with the European Union on Friday.
Split-offs emerging in EPA negotiations
26-Nov-2007
Being able to see though the fog of war and to think forward to a future beyond, is what sets apart great statesmen and women.
ASEAN FTA talks may conclude in 2 mths: Nath
26-Nov-2007
Commerce Minister Kamal Nath said that the negotiations in the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to be concluded in next two months.
No let-up in resistance to EPAs
25-Nov-2007
The Head of Programmes of Third World Network, Mr Tetteh Hormeku has said that the European Union tactics of demanding from individual countries to sign the Economic Partnership Agreements on their own instead of doing so as a bloc was a major affront to regional integration.
EU, Cemac Disagree Over Trade Accord
25-Nov-2007
A split has erupted among big economic operators in Cameroon as to whether or not government should respect the dateline of December 31, 2007, to sign the free trade Economic Partnership Accord between the European Union, EU, and some African, Caribbean and Pacific, ACP, countries.
EU Trade Negotiations Heading for a Stalemate
25-Nov-2007
West Africa is sticking by its demand for an extended World Trade Organisation waiver for trade with Europe, rejecting an EU call for new interim commercial deals by December 31.
India sees Thai free trade talks faltering
25-Nov-2007
With India-Asean free-trade talks faltering, the Indian government said on Saturday it might have to get directly involved again to try to make the proposed India-Thailand free trade agreement (FTA) operational.
TUC to go to court over EPA
25-Nov-2007 Myjoyonline
The Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) on Friday served notice to government that it would avail itself of all legal instruments to stop the signing and/or implementation of either the full Economic Partnership Agreement or the EPA-light.
EU agrees trade deals with Africa
24-Nov-2007 Al Jazeera
The European Commission and four states in southern Africa — Botswana, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho — have reached a new trade deal. South Africa and Namibia "will determine their participation in the agreement in the coming days," the Commission said. Madan Murlidhar Dulloo, foreign minister of Mauritius, accused the EU of "divide and rule".
EU says Korea could scupper trade talks over cars
24-Nov-2007 Reuters
The European Union’s top negotiator in free trade talks with South Korea said Korea was proposing measures that would hurt European car exporters, possibly undermining the chances of a deal.
Canada, South Korea pact not close, Flaherty says
24-Nov-2007 Bloomberg
Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said his country and South Korea aren’t close to a free-trade agreement because the Asian nation hasn’t pledged adequate access to its market.
European Union Parliament opposes free trade agreement with ASEAN due to Myanmar issue
24-Nov-2007
The parliament of the European Union will oppose an EU-ASEAN free trade agreement as long as democracy is not restored in Myanmar.
Ivorian banana growers push for new EU trade deal
24-Nov-2007
Ivory Coast’s banana and pineapple farmers are urging the government to sign a new trade deal with the European Union so they can compete once tariff free access to its market ends next month, officials said.
India must improve IPR enforcement: EU official
24-Nov-2007
India needs to improve its track record for enforcing intellectual property rights without which global small and medium enterprises will not invest in the country, an EU official said on Friday.
Costa Rica signs DR-CAFTA agreement
24-Nov-2007 Dominican Today
The DR-CAFTA free trade pact between the Central American countries, the Dominican Republic and the United States was signed into law in Costa Rica on Wednesday amid protests and a large military deployment.
EU trade chief fears ’plot’ to block deal
23-Nov-2007
Africa’s largest nations are trying to block the signing of the economic partnership agreements with the European Union, Peter Mandelson, EU trade commissioner has claimed.
Interview-Spain eyes West Africa as investment destination
23-Nov-2007
Spain is turning to West Africa as a potential investment destination in a commercial and political offensive linked to trying to control flows of illegal migrants to its territory, its industry minister said on Thursday.
ACP/EU call to put back EPA deadline
23-Nov-2007
Strong support for extension of the negotiating deadline for a series of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between Europe and 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states has come from the Joint Assembly of the European Union and the ACP countries.
A basket to carry water
23-Nov-2007
The grey clouds of attrition are gathering over concluding negotiations with the European Union, which has suddenly adopted a determined mercantilist attitude at this late date. The negotiations with Cariforum (CF) are now foundering in a sea of uncertainty, reminiscent of the opening stanza of the famous Trinidadian calypso "Captain, this ship is sinking.".
Vietnam vows to work for ASEAN-EU partnership
23-Nov-2007
Vietnam will work hard for the development of the ASEAN-EU partnership, particularly their Free Trade Agreement that is now under negotiations, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem has promised.