bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

Articles by language


India, Sri Lanka ink pacts, discuss devolution of powers
India and Sri Lanka on Wednesday signed seven agreements and discussed devolution of powers to the provinces and opening of negotiations with Tamil groups.
Japan hardliner hits FTA hopes
Japan’s new Prime Minister has installed an eccentric arch protectionist and former beef and pork farmer in the agriculture and fisheries portfolio, dealing a blow to Australia’s hopes of finalising a free trade agreement.
Services to be liberalised
If entering into trade agreements is opening up the floodgates to bigger countries, then some in Sri Lanka do not want the flood-gates opened to India, but the government has already done so, for seven other countries besides India. CEPA is carved in stone, some claim, but it is far from reality
Egypt boosts Swiss trade relations as euro weakens
Egypt is looking to mitigate the negative short-term effects of the weakening euro by diversifying its trade partners and increasing volumes with members of the European Free Trade Association, the country’s trade minister said.
Difficult Algeria-EU ties may deepen
Algeria is dissatisfied with its relations with the European Union (EU), claiming these only secure EU gas imports and EU consumer goods exports. But a deepening of ties is now being prepared.
US, EU sign deal to end long banana dispute
The United States said Tuesday it had signed an agreement with the European Union aimed at ending a longstanding dispute over banana tariffs.
Activists warn over EPAs deal
Over 15 fair trade lobby organisations have warned the East African Community leaders against signing the Framework Economic Partnerships Agreements (EPAs) with the European Union.
Canada to scrutinize Caribbean labor, environment standards
A planned trade deal between Canada and the 15-nation Caribbean Community (Caricom) will increase scrutiny on the organization’s enforcement of labor and environmental laws, Canada said Tuesday.
Forgery, murder, deception — the Canada-Colombia free trade agreement.
The lies are constant, unerring, and slick; yet the lies haven’t been able to convince members of the US Congress that this new government in Colombia has any respect for human rights. Apparently, the Harper government and Ignatieff’s Liberals are much more pliable.
Mexico interested in signing FTA with Peru, says Foreign Minister
Mexico is interested in signing a Free Trade Agreement with Peru and maintain a fluent political dialogue between both countries, Mexico’s foreign minister Patricia Espinoza announced Tuesday, after holding a bilateral meeting with her Peruvian counterpart, José García Belaunde.
Where does Korea-EU FTA stand?
The more than 1,000-page text needed to be translated into 23 languages and is now undergoing legal verification.
East Africa, EU trade talks suffer fresh setback
East Africa’s long running negotiations with Europe over the signing of a new trading agreement appeared headed for the rocks after the parties returned to Dar es Salaam with the old arguments that have stalled the talks for nearly two years.
Govt wants to cap Temasek, GIC joint holding in Indian companies at 10%
The government of India wants a change in the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (Ceca), to explicitly bar the city state’s investment companies Temasek and GIC from having a combined equity stake of more than 10% in any Indian listed company.
CSOs insist govt should re-think EPAs
As the East African Community Ministers converge in the Tanzanian capital of Dar-es-Salaam with a possibility of signing the long awaited Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), Civil Society Organisations are still thinking otherwise.
Group calls for FTA moratorium
Civil society is asking the incoming administration for a moratorium on all pending trade agreements pending thorough consultation and study.
RP-EU partnership deal inked this year?
A framework agreement that will govern relations between the Philippines and the European Union is likely to be signed in October and could pave the way for a bilateral trade deal, a Cabinet official yesterday said.
EAC legislators set terms for new trade deal with Europe
The East African Legislative Assembly wants member states to delay the signing of new economic partnership deals with Europe until outstanding issues are resolved.
The untold story of Pakistan China trade
Pakistan and China have increased bilateral trade agreements with the help of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which was signed between the two countries in 2005.
Taiwan claims right to sign FTAs as WTO member
Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang said yesterday that Taiwan, as a WTO member, has the right to seek free trade deals with as many countries as it chooses, a move recently strongly opposed by China.
EU firm on strong IP provision in free trade
A key provision in the draft of the India-European Union (EU) free trade agreement (FTA) may have implications on the affordability of medicines, while also hurting the negotiations between the two trading blocs.