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EU and Canada to continue free-trade negotiations in Ottawa
5-Feb-2013
The Canadian government is prepared to knock holes in the hefty tariff walls shielding dairy producers from foreign competition and admit more European cheese into this country in return for greater access to EU markets for Canada’s beef and pork.
Reko Diq: the other side
5-Feb-2013
Earlier last month, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry declared null and void the Reko Diq gold and copper mine agreement, the Chagai Hills Exploration Joint Venture Agreement (CHEJVA), with Tethyan Copper Company (TCC).
The Reko Diq Saga
5-Feb-2013
The Supreme Court recently declared void and illegal a mining deal for the Reko Diq copper project signed 20 years ago between the Balochistan government and international mining companies.
In move towards trade talks, EU to lift ban on some US meats
5-Feb-2013 Euractiv
Brussels and Washington want to deepen a relationship that accounts for a third of global trade, and ending the EU import ban on live pigs and beef washed in lactic acid is meant to show the Europeans are serious about a deal.
Costa Rica resumes free-trade negotiations with Colombia
5-Feb-2013
Officials from Costa Rica and Colombia on Monday began a fourth round of free-trade negotiations that are expected to address the most sensitive issues of market access, officials said.
Push for EU-US FTA could restart discussions about IPRs
5-Feb-2013 IP Watch
The buzz around possible negotiations of a Transatlantic Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) keeps growing, with European politicians pointing to agriculture and intellectual property as controversial topics.
Thailand: FTA imperils public interest
1-Feb-2013 Bangkok Post
Now that parliament has approved the draft framework of the Thai-EU FTA, all eyes are now on the Commerce ministry as to how it will protect the national interest amid concerns raised by public health authorities and civic groups that big business interests will prevail over the common good.
Korea-Belgium investment agreement, a hole for investor lawsuits
1-Feb-2013 Kyunghyang Shimun
The Korean government is fighting a ISD suit by US based private equity fund Lone Star. The ISD suit was established through Lone Star’s paper company in Belgium and initiated through an investment treaty between Belgium and South Korea.
Lone Star’s arbitration claim was possible because of a deficient agreement
1-Feb-2013 Kyunghyang Shimun
The article discusses a blunder in the Korean government in failing to include an anti-paper company clause that is now allowing companies to use the Belgium investment treaty as a backdoor for ISD suits.
ICSID: Ruling favours Venezuela and raises doubts for Costa Rica
31-Jan-2013
A few days ago, ICSID published an award rendered last December 12, 2012 ruling on a claim filed by a Canadian mining company, Vanessa Ventures against Venezuela in 2004.
Talks on ASEAN+6 trade bloc to kick off in May
31-Jan-2013
Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) together with the group’s six major trading partners are slated to begin in May the first round of negotiations to form the world’s largest economic bloc by 2015.
Group urges long-term vision for US-China trade, investment
31-Jan-2013 Reuters
A US business group called on the United States and China on Wednesday to develop a long-term plan to address trade and investment concerns and to tackle cybersecurity threats that could undermine their relations.
EU trade minister heading to Canada, free trade deal close to completion
30-Jan-2013
European Union Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht will be in Ottawa next week to meet International Trade Minister Ed Fast and look to complete negotiations on the Canada-EU free-trade agreement.
Taiwan, S’pore close to signing FTA
30-Jan-2013
After two years of negotiations, Taiwan and Singapore may be close to signing a free trade agreement.
Chile, Perú, Colombia y México firman acuerdo de libre comercio
30-Jan-2013 CNN Chile
En el marco de la cumbre Celac, la zona del pacífico firmó un acuerdo que consiste en cerrar un acuerdo arancelario antes del 31 de marzo de este año, lo que significa que el 90% de los productos van a quedar liberados de todo tipo de arancel en el comercio entre estos países.
Fifth round of proposed India-Australia FTA talks in April
30-Jan-2013
India and Australia are expected to hold the fifth round of negotiations in April in a bid to fast track talks for the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Marois warns she may scuttle Canada-EU trade deal if Quebec not satisfied
29-Jan-2013
Quebec could throw a monkey wrench into any free-trade deal between Canada and the European Union if it’s not satisfied with the treaty’s contents, Premier Pauline Marois warned Monday.
Stephen Harper discusses free trade agreement with new Japanese Prime Minister
29-Jan-2013
The prime minister and his Japanese counterpart have pledged to work together to reach a comprehensive free trade agreement between the two countries.
Uzbekistan might join CIS free trade zone in May 2013
29-Jan-2013
Uzbekistan might join the free trade zone of the Commonwealth of Independent States by the end of May 2013, Director of the First Department of the CIS States of the Russian Foreign Ministry told reporters on 29 January before the start of ministerial consultations in the CIS Executive Committee, BelTA has learnt.
Digging Thailand into an FTA-shaped hole
29-Jan-2013 Bangkok Post
After a series of warnings from civic groups that any international trade agreement without public consultation violates the constitution, the Commerce Ministry finally, albeit reluctantly, held a public hearing on the draft framework of the Thai-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) last Wednesday.