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Delhi Network of Positive People: Indian government trading away our lives
Delhi Network of Positive People protest the EU-India and all FTAs to MPs in India
Uruguay: Philip Morris files first-known investment treaty claim against tobacco regulations
The move is certain to be closely watched by international lawyers and policymakers alike, as it will serve as an early test-case of the little-used intellectual property protections contained in BITs.
Avatar downfall a blow for indigenous communities
In 2009, Chevron’s lobby against the renewal of preferential tariffs for Ecuador was "one of the strongest and fiercest that Ecuadorean foreign policy has ever faced."
Trade pact with the US ’depends on Thailand’
"There is no question that President Obama’s efforts to at least start talking to a few countries in Asia about a free trade agreement are the right step. Whether Thailand is ready to engage with the US in a free trade discussion is really a question for the Thais themselves," says the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand.
India, US to ink trade pact on March 18
The MoU will serve as the backbone for promoting a comprehensive investment policy between the two sides, both seeking out protection for their foreign investors and domestic industries.
Ecuador sees ruling in Occidental case in second half of year
The World Bank’s International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes may soon rule on a case brought by US oil company Occidental Petroleum Corp. against Ecuador
European Union rules to benefit Papua New Guinea tuna sector
PNG can now export to EU markets fish caught anywhere in the world and not just restricted to archipelagic and territorial waters
Either in or out of EPA – EU tells Namibia
The European Union has asked Namibia to stop skating on thin ice and make up her mind whether to be in or out of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
East Africa strikes free trade deal with the EU
The East African Community moved closer to striking a deal on Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations with the European Union after Brussels softened its stand on development support – a key demand of African states that has stalled the talks for nearly three years.
Philip Morris vs. Uruguay
Uruguay’s new health legislation, expected to go into effect in March 2010, requires that 80 percent of each side of cigarette boxes be covered by graphic images of the possible detrimental health effects of smoking. Philip Morris argues that this limits the space for branding and thus infringes on its intellectual property rights.
Taiwan and China to scale down early-harvest lists for ECFA
The number of items on Taiwan’s early harvest list may be further cut to 200-300, about half the amount on the existing draft. Meanwhile, both sides have agreed to incorporate intellectual property into the ECFA
Thailand: Free trade talks with EU likely this year
Thailand is expected to start a first round of negotiations toward a bilateral free-trade agreement with the European Union by the middle of the year, to remain competitive with rivals Vietnam and Singapore.
Gov’t to prop up milk industry as FTA kicks in
Korea will maintain 2 million tons of milk production annually to help the local dairy industry deal with an influx of imports once a free trade pact with the European Union (EU) goes into effect, the government said yesterday.
Dhaka prepares to sign free trade agreement with Delhi
Bangladesh is to resume talks after five years on a free trade agreement (FTA) with India. It will then resume negotiations with Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Latin America faces 61% of ongoing mining cases at the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes
In the context of high global prices for natural resources, particularly gold and oil, Latin American governments seeking to increase the benefits of those resources for their own people are finding themselves increasingly targeted by investor lawsuits.
US lawmakers launch push to repeal NAFTA
A group of US lawmakers unveiled legislation on Thursday to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement in the latest sign of congressional disillusionment with free-trade deals.
Peru, El Salvador to strengthen trade ties as FTA with Central America moves forward
The negotiation process will begin in May and will be between Peru and Central America, such the one with the European Union
EU expects free trade deal with India by October
The European Union expects to clinch a free trade pact with India by October, the EU’s trade chief said Thursday, as the 27-member trading bloc pushes to secure new markets across Asia.
Red EPA lights flicker for Namibia
According to the European Union, countries that have signed the interim EPA are rightfully concerned that the EU is continuing to grant SA, Angola and Namibia the same privileges in terms of trade access even though they had not signed. “The situation is untenable," Jacques Wunenburger, head of the EU’s trade directorate, says.
Egypt courts China for Suez special zone
The attraction for the Chinese is partly the large number of preferential trade agreements that Egypt has with Europe, Africa and the Middle East.