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US-Malaysia FTA talks postponed on US request
15-Jan-2009 Bernama
The negotiations between Malaysia and the United States on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) have been postponed on request from Washington, Minister of International Trade and Industry, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.
Crisis may lead to more non-tariff barriers
15-Jan-2009 The Nation
Many of Thailand’s trading partners are expected to implement non-tariff barriers this year to shield their markets from a flood of imports as a looming global recession prompts governments to negotiate free-trade pacts.
Thousand deaths do not put off EU
15-Jan-2009 IPS
Two conflicting statements about EU-Israeli relations were delivered Jan. 14, as the number of Palestinians, about one-third of them children, killed in Gaza continued to climb. The European Commission’s envoy in Jerusalem claimed that a proposed ’upgrading’ in relations with Israel cannot "proceed business as usual." Yet his statement was soon contradicted by the foreign minister of the Czech Republic, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency.
EU talks with Israel on upgrading ties put on hold
15-Jan-2009 Reuters
The European Union and Israel have put negotiations on upgrading their ties on hold due to the war in the Gaza Strip, an EU envoy said on Wednesday.
Speed up Asean-EU FTA talks
14-Jan-2009 AFP
ASEAN and the European Union should adopt a new approach in negotiations for a free-trade agreement (FTA) in an effort to speed up the talks, Britain’s trade minister said on Wednesday.
Guyana - Jagdeo says negotiating mechanism flawed
13-Jan-2009
President Bharrat Jagdeo has taken another jab at the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM). This time he is adamant that it cannot speak for Guyana at upcoming trade talks with Canada.
PM to Muhyiddin: Explain statement on suspension of FTA talks with US
13-Jan-2009
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to brief the Cabinet on his statement that his ministry has temporarily stopped Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the United States.
The Arab Economic Summit: a market approach to development
13-Jan-2009 Daily Star
As a regional grouping, the Arab countries have shown great interest in fostering their economic cooperation and integration, but with relatively limited success. A fresh attempt in this direction is in the offing with the holding of an Arab Economic Summit in Kuwait on January 19-20.
With economic integration on their minds
12-Jan-2009
Making hemispheric Economic Integration work for all. This is one of the aspirations spelled out in the report of the Partnership for the Americas Commission, a grouping of leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean, which is linked to the Washington-based Brookings Institution.
Cross-strait pacts may violate WTO rules: Taiwan’s ex-envoy
12-Jan-2009
Taiwan’s former permanent representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Yen Ching-chang said yesterday that the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between Taiwan and China may not be consistent with WTO principles.
Seoul, Tokyo Agree to Resume Talks on FTA
12-Jan-2009
South Korea and Japan will hold working-level discussions on resuming their negotiations on free trade agreement (FTA) while working closely to overcome the worldwide financial crisis now threatening both their economies, Yonhap News reported quoting Seoul’s presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae Monday.
Georgia, US sign strategic accord
10-Jan-2009 AFP
On the economic front, the two countries intend to pursue an Enhanced Bilateral Investment Treaty and to explore the possibility of a free-trade agreement.
Obama and NAFTA
10-Jan-2009 FPIF
Will he or won’t he? In the shadow of the economic crisis, a war of words rages over whether President-elect Barack Obama will hold to his campaign promise of opening up the North American Free Trade Agreement for renegotiation.
Landmark Japan-Philippines trade deal: a recap
9-Jan-2009 BW
In the first part of this article, the issues that hounded the ratification of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) will be discussed, as well as the Senate Resolution that led to ratification.
Microsoft comes down squarely on side of FTA
8-Jan-2009 Joong Ang Daily
Microsoft has called for the incoming Barack Obama administration to push ahead with ratification of the pending free trade deal with Korea, saying it "establishes a foothold for the US in Asia."
Syria Proposes Malaysia-Syria FTA
8-Jan-2009
Syria today suggested Malaysia and Syria sign a free trade agreement to intensify economic, trade and investment ties between the two countries.
Korea-EU FTA Talks to Be Sped Up
8-Jan-2009
The government will speed up negotiations with the European Union to clinch a free trade deal with an aim to implement the agreement in January next year.
Microsoft comes down squarely on side of FTA
8-Jan-2009
Microsoft has called for the incoming Barack Obama administration to push ahead with ratification of the pending free trade deal with Korea.
Taiwan Solidarity Union rejects China’s latest olive branch as ‘old trick’
7-Jan-2009 Visit China
The proposed signing of a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with China will force Taiwan to follow the Hong Kong and Macau model, which will ultimately downgrade Taiwan to the level of a local government, subordinate to Beijing, says the pro-independence Taiwan Solidarity Union
What part of Article 2 don’t you understand?
6-Jan-2009 Middle East Online
There’s an ugly plan afoot in the EU to reward Israel for its abominable and criminal conduct by enhancing the already handsome benefits enjoyed by the neighbourhood bully under the EU-Israel Association Agreement.