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Investment chapters in trade agreements
14-Sep-2016 CADTM
Ecuador in the early 90’s, during the great neoliberal onslaught, had modified and established laws to ensure attractive profits to foreign companies. Additionally, Ecuador subscribed 21 BITs out of a total of 30 signed treaties between 1985 and 2003.
East Africa: Zitto - Tanzania to lose Sh1.7 trillion through EPA
13-Sep-2016 All Africa
Tanzania will lose $865 million in revenue during the 25 years of implementing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) should the East African Community sign the pact with the European Union: Zitto Kabwe.
Pakistan’s free trade agreement draft wins Iran’s backing
13-Sep-2016 The Express Tribune
In a sign of progress towards a free trade agreement (FTA), the Iranian authorities have agreed with the initial draft shared by Pakistan and returned it with their input, paving the way for kicking off formal negotiations.
India need not genuflect at RCEP
13-Sep-2016 The Hindu
Its inclination to dole out free tariff lines to all could be disastrous. The fear of being left out of all trade pacts is exaggerated.
TTIP Lite, less filling — but tastes great?
13-Sep-2016 Politico
US and Italian officials are weighing a deal to lock in elements that can be finalized before Obama leaves office.
EFTA talks on proposed FTA to resume this month
13-Sep-2016 Financial Express
The long-stalled negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and the EFTA, a bloc of four European countries including Switzerland, are expected to resume this month.
China’s BRICS trade pact idea finds no takers
13-Sep-2016 The Hindu
Other members fear a pact could lead to a surge in imports of Chinese goods, hurting local manufacturing
Cotu criticises Kenya’s persistence on EU trade deal
12-Sep-2016 Standard Digital
Kenya’s umbrella body of trade unions has criticised the Government for its persistent stand on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union.
EAC infighting highlights divisions, threatens EU trade deal
12-Sep-2016 Global Risk Insights
Divisions in the EAC over the EU EPA highlights problems in the bloc and competing developmental strategies; if the EAC cannot act as one, can it survive?
Deeper analysis on potential Pacific trade pact: Chile
12-Sep-2016 Farm Futures
Six percent appears to be the base rate on tariffs for products exported to Chile.
US pressures Australia for stronger TPP biologics monopolies
12-Sep-2016 Scoop
According to the Bloomberg, Senator Hatch said “They’re going to have to find a way of having the countries agree to change that formality in the TPP to 12 years…If Australia wants to be part of it, they have to meet our terms,”
Trade through SAFTA demanded
12-Sep-2016 Daily Times
Eight finance ministers from South Asia pushed for the fast-track formation of the South Asian Economic Union (SAEU) to ensure larger investment inflows, higher trade volumes and energy generation.
Divided EAC pushes EU agreement to January
9-Sep-2016 The Star
Kenya will have to lobby for its own duty-free market access to Europe to shield its exports to the European Union from taxes.
Fiji to withdraw from PACER-Plus negotiations
9-Sep-2016 Radio NZ
Fiji has reportedly withdrawn from negotiations for the proposed PACER-Plus regional free trade agreement.
A homegrown disaster
9-Sep-2016 BuzzFeed
A secretive global legal system gives corporations leverage over the countries where they operate. Everyone said the United States didn’t have anything to worry about, because American laws are fair to begin with. Everyone was wrong.
Where is the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership headed?
9-Sep-2016 Spicy IP
The latest round of RCEP talks paints a worrisome picture for the global south, given that it will bring 3.5 billion people and 12% of world trade into its fold.
EU to kick-start EPA in 13 West African countries despite Nigeria’s resentment
8-Sep-2016 Business Day
EU’s Deputy Head of Delegation noted that the EU will not hesitate to withdraw the free access to European market enjoyed by the resenting countries: Nigeria, the Gambia and Mauritania.
Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt to start free trade zones
8-Sep-2016 NTA
Nigeria is to establish a free trade zone with Kenya, South Africa and Egypt. The four countries have already worked out modalities for establishing the zone.
’Conclusion of India, SACU pact to increase trade flows’
8-Sep-2016 Business Standard
The agreement aims at reducing tariffs for certain products. Tariffs are customs duties on merchandise imports.
Government taking a relook at free trade agreements: Nirmala Sitharaman
8-Sep-2016 The Economic Times
Government is reviewing FTAs that India has signed with trading partners after the industry voiced concerns about benefits of these pacts for domestic players.