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’It takes nine to tango’ in Pacific free trade plan
8-Jul-2011
United States Apec Ambassador Kurt Tong yesterday insisted that the negotiations among nine countries for a Trans Pacific Partnership free trade agreement were based on a level playing field.
Nicaraguan businesspersons seek free trade agreement with Venezuela
7-Jul-2011
There are concerns in Nicaragua about the health of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, with whom the Central American government has signed trade agreements without the participation of Nicaraguan businesspersons, DPA reported.
Ruling bloc aims to pass contentious free trade deal with US next month
7-Jul-2011
The South Korean government and the ruling party are moving to ratify a controversial free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States next month, party officials said on Thursday, a move that is expected to trigger backlash from opposition parties.
Millions will die if India stops AIDS drugs — UN
6-Jul-2011 Reuters
Millions of people dependent on life-saving generic drugs to treat HIV/AIDS will die if India stops producing cheap drugs for the disease due to its trade deal with the European Union, the head of UNAIDS warned on Tuesday.
Free trade at what cost?
6-Jul-2011
Inking free trade deals with South Korea, Panama and Colombia is among the highest priorities for the U.S. business community.
ETUC wants FTA with Ottawa to strengthen workers’ rights
6-Jul-2011
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has called on Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht to ensure that the free trade agreement currently negotiated with Canada strengthens workers’ rights. In a letter dated 4 July and sent to De Gucht, Bernadette Ségol, ETUC’s general secretary, asked the EU to adjust its negotiating position in order to include in the final agreement a “strong” dispute settlement mechanism, with the possibility of fines being imposed for breaches of international obligations on labour standards.
Economics Ministry maps out measures to cushion impact of Korea-US FTA
6-Jul-2011
In an effort to help domestic exporters counter the impact of the South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs has proposed to offer tax rebates for imported industrial raw materials and components/parts with average tariffs topping 4.3%.
Facilitator or obstacle: Pakistan, Sri Lanka to review free trade agreement
6-Jul-2011
Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Tuesday agreed to hold negotiations for reviewing the six-year-old free trade agreement (FTA) which has become an obstacle instead of becoming a tool for liberalisation.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka agree to negotiate trade agreements in August
6-Jul-2011 Colombo Page
At the conclusion of the 10th session of Pakistan-Sri Lanka Joint Economic Commission on Tuesday the two countries have agreed hold Free Trade Agreement (FTA) review meeting and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations in August 2011 in Colombo.
A deal still on the drawing board
5-Jul-2011
The India-EU free trade agreement is yet to see daylight. Labour and environmental issues may derail it, writes Biswajit Dhar
Colombia FTA press conference
5-Jul-2011 CWA Union
Press conference against the US-Colombia FTA, Washington DC, 16 June 2011
Senate archives Chief calls Senators ’liars’
5-Jul-2011
A section chief at the Senate accused lawmakers who signed the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) of being “big liars” and betraying public trust as she revealed that contrary to the interest and safety of the Filipinos, toxic and nuclear wastes from Japan will be brought into the country.
GNCCI spearheads project to increase trade with neighbours
5-Jul-2011
The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) is spearheading a capacity-building project to increase trade flows between neighboring ECOWAS countries and the European Union.
Korea-EU FTA set to hurt Japanese auto sales
5-Jul-2011
Japanese carmakers such as Toyota and Honda struggled to secure a firm market share here in the first half of 2011 while other imported auto brands boasted record sales.
Polish ambassador says FTA will open new chapter in relationship
5-Jul-2011
New Polish Ambassador to Korea Krzysztof Ignacy Majka had been a renowned scientist in his home country and didn’t know much about Asia until he went to India in 1979 as a research student.
India should go via Canada to boost trade with US: Report
4-Jul-2011
India’s route to boost its trade with the US lies through Canada, says a report here.
Key says child labour not part of FTA
4-Jul-2011 Otago Daily Times
India’s use of child labour is unacceptable but free trade agreement negotiations are not the forum to deal with it, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key says.
India rejects clause on litigation
4-Jul-2011
Despite a demand by the European Union (EU), India is unlikely to allow a clause in a proposed trade pact with the bloc that permits an overseas investor to sue a host country at an international dispute settlement agency.
South Korea’s FTA strategy
4-Jul-2011
A free trade agreement (FTA) between South Korea and the European Union took effect on July 1. A close look at South Korea’s strategy for securing FTAs with EU and the United States — although the U.S. Congress has not approved the deal — could give us a fresh perspective for reviewing Taiwan’s economic strategy.
ACT UP-Paris wakes up the European Commissioner for Trade in Belgium
3-Jul-2011 ACT UP-Paris
This morning, in a small town in the region of Gent, Belgium, activists from Act Up-Paris woke up the European Commissioner for Trade in front of his house. They unfurled a banner which said ‘De Gucht, AIDS accomplice’.