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M’sia looks to sign FTA with European Free Trade Association
3-Oct-2011 The Star
The Government is doing feasibility studies to see whether it could embark on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) by mid next year, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
Philippines: EU remains interested in FTA
3-Oct-2011 Manila Bulletin
The European Union continues to seek a free trade agreement with the Philippines as it is seen to be the key in increasing foreign investments into the Philippines, including the green and renewable energy sector.
FTA strategies in China and India
2-Oct-2011
By mid-2011, the two Asian giants were among Asia’s leaders in FTA activity with 11 each in effect in both China and India. The number of FTAs under negotiation and proposed suggested that such activity will rise in the future, as China has another 13 agreements in the pipeline and India another 20.
Fifth round FTA negotiations between Malaysia-EU in mid Oct
30-Sep-2011 Bernama
The fifth round of the Free Trade Agreement negotiations between the European Union and Malaysia will be held in mid-October in Brussels, Belgium.
Access to EU markets for exporters from African, Caribbean and Pacific countries
30-Sep-2011 EU Trade
The Commission will withdraw the Market Access Regulation for 18 countries that have not taken the necessary steps towards ratifying Economic Partnership Agreements signed with the EU.
Developing countries query European bid to abolish sugar quotas
28-Sep-2011 ACP
The ACP Sugar Group has recently been made aware through media reports of an “impact study” made by and for the European Commission, reportedly due for release in October 2011. This study refers to proposals for changes in the European sugar regime. It is hoped that this is not accurate as some of the key assumptions and results are more than questionable.
US cheese companies prepare to infiltrate Korea
28-Sep-2011 Chosun Ilbo
As Korea and the U.S. await the approval of their respective legislatures on a Free Trade Agreement, around 30 members of the US Dairy Export Council came to Korea to study and tap this promising market this week.
EU seeks to begin FTA negotiations with S. Mediterranean countries
28-Sep-2011 KUNA
The European Union Foreign Affairs Council on Trade Monday agreed to begin negotiations on "direct and comprehensive" free trade agreements with Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia.
EU-FTA: Wine tax reduction remains pipe dream
28-Sep-2011 Indian Wine Academy
The target date for reaching a deal is now February 2012
Palestinians to export direct to EU, avoiding Israel
27-Sep-2011 AFP
The European parliament Tuesday gave its green light to a deal enabling Palestinians to export farm and fish products directly to the European Union starting next year, without transit through Israel.
Palestine joins Agadir FTA
27-Sep-2011 MAP
Foreign Ministers of the signatories to the Agadir free trade agreement (signed on February 25, 2004 and includes Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan) agreed, Monday in New York, to Palestine’s membership of the grouping.
Documentary: CAFTA led to workers’ rights violations in Honduras
27-Sep-2011 AFL CIO
Ever since it was passed five years ago, the Central America Free Trade Agreement-Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR) has led to an increase in unemployment, violations of worker rights and discrimination against women in Honduras, according to an about-to-be-released documentary.
Jordan firm accused of sexual abuse supplied clothes to Sears, Target and others
27-Sep-2011 WBEZ
Since 2007, at least 300 young female employees have been raped and brutalized by Classic managers while sewing clothes for giant retailers, including Hanes, Target, Sears, Macy’s and Land’s End. These garments enter the US duty-free under the US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement.
EU Parliament backs food-trade deal with Palestinian Authority
27-Sep-2011 Bloomberg
European Union lawmakers approved a plan to give the Palestinian Authority greater access to the EU food market in a bid to bolster the local economy and drive for statehood.
FTA with Asean hurting domestic market, reveals Ficci survey
26-Sep-2011
The India-Asean Free Trade Agreement, which came into effect from January 2010, has been a mixed bag so far. While more opportunities have opened up for Indian industries, in terms of greater market access for their products in the Asean region, the duty reduction on imports from Asean countries, in turn, has hit India’s domestic market.
SADC intra-regional trade pathetic
25-Sep-2011
Intra-regional trade is really pathetic within the Southern African Development Community, says United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Senior Regional Agriculture Programme Manager Cecilia Kuphe.
Michael Kambeck: free trade agreement with Armenia important to EU
25-Sep-2011
The Warsaw-hosted Eastern Partnership summit is a good signal for Armenia in terms of visa facilitation and free trade agreement negotiations with EU, according to the Secretary General of European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) non-governmental organisation.
Kia closely watching free-trade debate
25-Sep-2011 Macon
Kia spent $150,000 in the first quarter of this year to lobby members of the US House and Senate on matters that included the Korea-US free-trade agreement, according to federal lobbying records.
US Senate removes biggest hurdle to FTA ratification
24-Sep-2011
The U.S. Senate has approved the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), a worker training program that has been the largest stumbling block to the ratification of the bilateral free trade agreement with Korea.
FTAs promote inequality: Stiglitz
23-Sep-2011 Prensa Latina
According to Joseph Stiglitz, the Nobel Prize winner for economics, free trade agreements constitute one of the clearest links between globalization and increasing inequality.