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Mexico opposition party and industry groups oppose new FTAs, including FTA with Brazil
13-Sep-2010 Lexology
After concluding an Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan, Mexico halted new FTA negotiations in light of pressure from private sector representatives and sensitive domestic industries, notably agriculture, who oppose ongoing trade negotiations with Brazil and South Korea.
Italy to hold out at least until Thursday on EU-South Korea veto
13-Sep-2010 dpa
European Union ministers meeting on Monday gave Italy until Thursday to decide whether it wants to confirm its veto on a free-trade agreement with South Korea, diplomats told the German Press Agency dpa.
EU struggles to persuade Italy over Korea trade deal
13-Sep-2010 AFP
European partners scrambled on Monday to convince Italy to drop its opposition to a trade deal with South Korea ahead of an EU summit, as Rome fretted about the impact on its vital auto industry.
PACER-Plus: Why we need to get it right
13-Sep-2010 Islands Business
“PACER-Plus is the most important economic negotiation that Forum Islands nations will undertake this decade, so you need to get it right.” So says Dr Chris Noonan, Chief Trade Advisor to Forum Islands Countries for the PACER-Plus free trade negotiations.
SADC Churches discuss SACU
13-Sep-2010
A regional SACU civil society conference has recommended that there is a need for a broader regional agenda anchored on the strength of small economies in the region.
Pressure over farmers could stall trade deals: official
13-Sep-2010
Political pressure to protect farmers will stall Taiwan’s dreams of signing free trade agreements (FTA) with Southeast Asia, setting back a piece of the island’s growth strategy, a senior official said.
Major push for grand FTA
12-Sep-2010
The envisaged grand Free Trade Area (FTA), a grouping of COMESA, EAC and SADC will hold a decisive tripartite summit in January 2011 in South Africa as a major push for coalescence amongst the 26 countries gathers traction.
Thai-Lao business blossoms
12-Sep-2010
The value of cross-border trade between Thailand and Laos is forecast to reach 80 billion baht at the end of this year, as the Thai government is pursuing a new strategy to optimise free trade agreements.
ECFA to widen income disparity: forum
12-Sep-2010
Experts at a forum on economics yesterday said the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), which came into force yesterday, would exacerbate income disparity and unemployment in Taiwan.
ECFA heralds cross-strait government-to-government links: MAC
12-Sep-2010
Taiwan and China will be able to develop government-to-government links under the economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) signed in June, which will help boost mutual understanding and goodwill, a Taiwanese official said in the Belgian capital Friday.
Iran, Armenia to sign FTA
12-Sep-2010
Iran and Armenia will sign a free trade agreement (FTAs) during the Armenian economy minister’s upcoming visit to Tehran.
Japan stance ’unchanged’ on US beef imports for talks, ministry says
12-Sep-2010 Bloomberg
Japan will maintain its stance on restricting some U.S. beef when officials from the two countries hold talks next week, the agriculture ministry said today.
EU-Korea FTA remains stalled
12-Sep-2010 Business Standard
A hoped-for green light from the European Council, which comprises 27 member-states, was not forthcoming on Friday, as EU trade ministers met to try and break the deadlock.
EU approves start of free-trade talks with Malaysia
12-Sep-2010 DPA
European Union trade ministers on Friday approved the launch of free trade negotiations with Malaysia, in a move which officials hope could stimulate billions of dollars of business flows.
EAC, Turkey to Discuss Free Trade Pacts
11-Sep-2010
The East Africa Community and Turkey will discuss trade partnerships when they meet in a business forum between September 28 and 30.
GCC countries postpone customs union move
11-Sep-2010
The Gulf Cooperation Council, a political and economic union involving the six Arab states, has decided to shelve its proposed customs union by at least two years after the modalities for the distribution of revenues and the mechanism of collection were not finalised.
EU-Korea FTA hits final delay
11-Sep-2010
The European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council yesterday decided to rediscuss the approval of a free trade pact with Korea on Monday, and the 27-member bloc hopes to sign the pact in early October, the minister presiding over the council meeting said.
Japan, India reach basic free trade accord
10-Sep-2010 AFP
Asian economic powers Japan and India broadly agreed Thursday on a free trade deal that aims to reduce most tariffs between the two nations in a decade, Japanese foreign minister Katsuya Okada said.
Chile moves closer to sealing trade agreement with India
10-Sep-2010 Dow Jones Newswires
Chile is a step closer to sealing a free-trade agreement with India, the remaining economic superpower it has yet to sign one with.
11 companies apply to provide cell phone service in Costa Rica
9-Sep-2010
The country’s cell phone market was opened to private competition with the entry into force of the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the US (CAFTA) on Jan.1, 2009.