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City state will remain testing ground for mainland reforms
8-Apr-2012
The Hong Kong Government forged a Closer Economic Partnership agreement (CEPA) because it admired New Zealand’s free trade credentials.
Govt to explain TPP stance to U.S.
8-Apr-2012
The Japanese government will try to make sure the United States understands its stance toward the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations, according to Katsuyuki Ishida, senior vice minister at the Cabinet Office.
EU closer to rescinding deal, could tax Kenyan flowers
8-Apr-2012
The European Union Parliament has tasked a British MP to prepare a report that will determine whether Kenyan flowers exports will be subjected to duty in the EU markets, or continue operating in the quota-free market regime.
South Korean voters set to make left turn
8-Apr-2012
A coalition of left of centre parties is well positioned to win South Korea’s parliamentary elections on Wednesday with a platform of improving social services and renegotiating a free-trade pact with the United States.
Free trade pact negotiations should begin as soon as possible: premier
7-Apr-2012
Taiwan must begin as soon as possible to discuss with other countries its desire to forge free trade agreements (FTAs) with them, Premier Sean Chen said Saturday.
EFTA, Indonesia Hold FTA Negotiations
7-Apr-2012 Tax News
The fourth round of negotiations towards a ’Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement’ between the European Free Trade Association states and Indonesia concluded on March 29, 2012.
Prices of certain US, EU products unchanged despite FTAs
6-Apr-2012
Prices of certain imports from Europe and the U.S. have remained the same despite tariff cuts from free trade agreements with both economic blocs, the Fair Trade Commission in Seoul said Thursday.
India plans to abolish ISD clause in FTAs
6-Apr-2012
India plans to abolish the investor-state dispute system and renegotiate FTAs with South Korea, Singapore, and other countries, an Indian newspaper reported.
ECFA talks to be finished in two years: president
6-Apr-2012
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday said the government will complete negotiations on the cross-strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with China in the next two years, as well as deepen economic and trade relations with other countries to raise the nation’s economic competitiveness.
FTA process will take time
5-Apr-2012 China Daily
Compared to ten years ago, China is now better prepared to initiate talks with the US on establishing an FTA, and accelerating the implementation of the FTA is an important part of its further opening-up policy. Furthermore, it is one of the strategic tasks of the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15).
Japan: Preparatory FTA talks with EU near end
5-Apr-2012 Japan Times
The so-called scoping exercise, aimed at identifying matters of mutual concern and interest related to a free-trade agreement, will conclude "probably in weeks," Arianespace Chairman Jean-Yves Le Gall said at a news conference in Tokyo following a two-day meeting of the EU-Japan Business Round Table.
China keen on free trade pact with US: Greenberg
4-Apr-2012 Reuters
China is eager to begin talks on a free trade pact with the United States and key leaders seem willing to step away from the state capitalism Beijing has been pursuing, a senior U.S. executive with access to China’s leadership said on Tuesday.
De Gucht calls for an EU-ASEAN FTA
4-Apr-2012 Tax News
Negotiating at a regional level rather than on a country by country basis is still the EU’s preferred option in the long-term
Pak-US investment treaty draft sent to cabinet
3-Apr-2012 The News
The draft of the Pak-US Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) has been sent to the Pakistani cabinet for approval, official sources told The News on Monday.
Canada and China negotiate investment treaty
2-Apr-2012 Mondaq
On February 8, 2012, Canada and China signed a Declaration of Intent, signalling that the substantive negotiations between them on a bilateral investment treaty have come to a close. What do we know about this treaty?
Future direction of proposed Malaysia-EU FTA to be known by June
2-Apr-2012 Bernama
"We would probably have made decision by June whether we should proceed or review the proposed FTA," Malaysia’s trade minister said after meeting the EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht on the sideline of the Asean-EU Business Summit, in Phnom Penh.
Q4 RP-EU FTA negotiations seen
2-Apr-2012 Manila Bulletin
Negotiations for the Philippines-EU bilateral free trade agreement could start late this year or early next year when all studies and consultations have been completed said Trade and Industry undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal Jr.
EU won’t get further access to government business
1-Apr-2012
India will not concede to EU’s demand that European companies be allowed to participate in procurements made by public sector enterprises in the country as part of a free trade agreement being negotiated.
AFL-CIO Joins Honduran Unions in Petitioning US Labor Department
1-Apr-2012
This week the AFL-CIO joined the main Honduran trade unions to file a petition with the United States Department of Labor’s Public Office of Trade & Labor Affairs (OTLA) concerning the failure of the government of Honduras to effectively enforce its labor laws and comply with its commitments under the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA).
U.S. beef row tests nation’s resolve to liberalize trade: minister
1-Apr-2012
Foreign Affairs Minister Timothy Yang said Friday that the U.S. beef dispute not only involves beef but is also related to how the country shows its resolve to liberalize trade and strengthen its competitive edge.