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Canadian apathy puts trade at risk in Southeast Asia: report
25-Aug-2010
Canada has largely ignored relations with Southeast Asia over the past decade and is now at risk of being shut out of key trading pacts and institutions in the increasingly important region, according to a highly critical report to be released Wednesday.
Africa business blocs set rules for free trade areas
25-Aug-2010 Business Daily
Three regional trading blocs have created a draft agreement which paves the way for the setting up of a $624 billion free trade area.
Salone Sets for Better Market System
24-Aug-2010
Deputy minister of Trade and Industry has assured the people of Sierra Leone and ECOWAS states that her ministry with its trade partners will soon be more resourceful in market investment.
Asian regionalism and RI’s comparative advantage
24-Aug-2010
Undeniably, we’re heading towards the globalization of world trade. At the same time countries face challenges other than globalization: regionalism and bilateralism. Indonesia simultaneously faces different levels of trade liberalization, whether at the global (World Trade Organization or WTO), regional (ASEAN Free Trade Area or AFTA) or bilateral level (such as with Australia).
S. Korea, Peru to hold free trade talks next week
24-Aug-2010
South Korea and Peru will hold their fifth round of free trade negotiations next week, Seoul’s trade ministry said Tuesday.
Improving resolution of investor-state disputes the focus of new UN publication
24-Aug-2010 UN News Centre
A new online publication by the United Nations trade arm explores alternative methods that governments and international investors may use to resolve increasingly frequent disputes that must currently be handled through lengthy international arbitration.
Imports of F&B products begin to hurt local producers
24-Aug-2010 Jakarta Post
Imported food and beverage products have begun to flood the Indonesian market following the implementation free trade agreements between ASEAN and China early this year, a business executive have said.
Zuma’s visit to feature SA-China trade deals
23-Aug-2010
South African President Jacob Zuma will lead a State visit to China this week in a bid to strengthen political, economic and trade relations with the world’s second-largest economy and South Africa’s largest trading partner.
Iran, Algeria mull free-trade pact
23-Aug-2010
Iran and Algeria are discussing signing a free trade agreement in the future, Mehr News Agency reported.
Govt banks on FTAs, fears protectionism
23-Aug-2010
India today articulated its strategy to opt for bilateral deals to boost trade in goods and services at a time when the developed countries were turning protectionists and talks for multilateral trade liberalisation were not making much headway.
Malaysia on verge of finalising FTA with India
23-Aug-2010
Malaysia said Monday it was on the verge of finalising a free trade agreement with India and that the deal was expected to be signed at the end of October.
ASEAN, Japan aim to strike deal on services, investment next year
23-Aug-2010 Mainichi
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Japan aim to strike a deal on liberalization of trade in services, and investment next year for incorporation into their two-year-old free trade deal, according to the draft of a joint statement for next week’s meeting of their economic ministers in Vietnam.
Japan-Korea: Free trade talks
22-Aug-2010 Asahi Shimbun
The Japanese government needs to take steps to make an FTA more attractive to Korean industries, says the Asahi Shimbun
TSU to launch new ECFA referendum: chairman
21-Aug-2010 Focus Taiwan
Opposition Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Chairman Huang Kun-huei said conveyed his party decision to push for a national referendum the controversial ECFA with China for a third time.
Labor to continue down same trade path
20-Aug-2010
Labor has promised more of the same on trade if it is re-elected on Saturday.
’Alternative’ SADC summit on the sidelines
20-Aug-2010
While SADC heads of state and government meet in Windhoek this week, civil society organisations from the region are also holding a two-day meeting in Windhoek called ’The SADC People’s Summit’.
Summit ends on a high...Leaders commit to deepening economic integration
20-Aug-2010
The two-day SADC Summit ended in Windhoek on Tuesday with regional leaders reaffirming their commitment to deepening economic integration and speedy implementation of the bloc’s programmes.
Obama and “free trade:” eight items of note and one obvious conclusion
20-Aug-2010 Mingas
From this recent history of Obama’s words and deeds with regards to “free trade” we should expect an offensive, similar in scope and scale to the US military escalation under way around the world, to obtain passage of the Colombia FTA, starting probably right after the November mid-term elections.
Swiss say prefer bilateral trade deals to EU membership
20-Aug-2010 Reuters
Switzerland will continue to pursue bilateral trade agreements with the European Union for the time being rather than joining the trading bloc as a member state, the Swiss government said on Thursday.
ECFA overlooks human rights: watchdog group
20-Aug-2010 Taipei Times
A watchdog organization yesterday accused the Taiwanese government of overlooking human rights and environmental issues while developing closer economic ties with China.