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China and Costa Rica begin free trade talks
20-Jan-2009 AFP
China and Costa Rica on Monday began talks for a free trade treaty under which the Central American nation hopes to export meat, plants, fruit and coffee to the Asian giant
Time to rethink free trade agreements with the United States
20-Jan-2009 Americas Program
The path to "free trade"—as defined by George Bush and his predecessors—is currently at a crossroads. The Obama presidency, the growing number of developing countries that oppose NAFTA-like trade agreements, and the global economic crisis are interrelated factors that provide an opportunity to rethink this model and demand conditions favoring equitable development.
EU business group urges ambitious stance on Korea trade talks
20-Jan-2009 Morning Star
The European Union should seek big reductions in tariffs and an end to rules that limit trade as part of its negotiations with South Korea on a free trade agreement, the E.U.’s main business group said in a letter released Monday.
FTA between Panama and Honduras takes effect
20-Jan-2009 Florida Shipper
The free trade agreement between Panama and Honduras took effect on Jan. 9. The agreement has an impact on 80 percent of the goods traded between the countries.
FTA need of the hour: EU trade commissioner
20-Jan-2009 Economic Times
Former European Union trade commissioner Peter Mandelson has said that efforts should be made to implement the EU-India free trade agreement this year as it could help the two sides in overcoming challenges in a post-crisis world.
‘FTA with Gulf region will boost bilateral trade’
20-Jan-2009 The Star
Malaysia is hopeful that negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Malaysia can commence as soon as possible, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.
Canada-Panama FTA on track to be signed
19-Jan-2009 Panama Star
There have been important advances in respect to the negotiation of goods and the access to loan and investment services a spokesman of the Panamanian Commerce and Industry Ministry.
SA leading charge to amend EU trade deal
19-Jan-2009 Business Day
South Africa, Namibia and Angola have sent the European Union a letter — on an official South African letterhead and signed by the three countries’ ambassadors — reiterating concern about the interim economic partnership agreement and urging the EU to allow more time before the pact is signed.
Asean-India free trade pact to be signed in February
19-Jan-2009 The Star
India is likely to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Asean during the 14th summit of the bloc slated for February in Thailand
ECO to establish free trade area by 2015
19-Jan-2009 Tehran Times
The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) will establish a free trade area by 2015, ECO Secretary General Khurshid Anwar said on Sunday.
Leaders set to approve Arab customs union
19-Jan-2009 Gulf Daily News
Arab leaders are to approve a customs union - the first step to a common market - as well as a power grid and a rail network at their first economic summit in Kuwait, it was revealed yesterday.
Jpepa implementation to cost BOC P12.5B in forgone revenues
18-Jan-2009 Business Mirror
The Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC), the government’s second-largest revenue earner, said the implementation of Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa) will hurt its collection for the year as it stands to lose billions of pesos.
Official: Kuwait summit serious step towards establishing Arab economic bloc
18-Jan-2009 Xinhua
The General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture for Arab Countries said Saturday that the first Arab economic summit slated to be held on Jan. 19-20 will be a serious step to boost efforts to establish an Arab economic bloc.
US, Peru wrap up trade pact despite objections
17-Jan-2009 Reuters
Leaders of the United States and Peru finalized a free trade agreement on Friday, just days before US President George W. Bush leaves office and despite concerns about labor laws in the Andean country.
EU FTA talks to resume next week
17-Jan-2009 Joong Ang Daily
Trade ministers from Korea and the European Union will meet in Seoul next week to iron out divisive issues related to a free trade deal, officials said yesterday.
Trade minister quashes talk of FTA renegotiations with U.S.
16-Jan-2009
Korea’s top trade official said yesterday renegotiation of a free trade agreement with the United States would not be sensible, rejecting possible demand to amend the deal by the new administration of President-elect Barack Obama.
European Union, Cameroon sign interim trade deal
15-Jan-2009
The European Union and Cameroon signed a "stepping stone" economic partnership agreement (EPA) trade deal on Thursday pending a broader regional accord with central African states.
Chamber’s leader says FTA will pass
15-Jan-2009
Thomas Donohue, the head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said during his visit to Seoul yesterday there would be no “renegotiation” of the free trade agreement with Korea, while there could be some “adjustments” regarding the controversial auto issue.
Montrealers occupy Minister’s office in solidarity with Gaza. "Tear up Quebec-Israel bilateral accord! Condemn Israel’s attack on Gaza!"
15-Jan-2009
Montrealers are occupying the ministerial office of Raymond Bachand, Quebec’s Economic Development Minister, in solidarity with Gaza and to call on the Charest government to immediately rescind the Quebec-Israel economic accord.
WTO launches new database on regional trade agreements
15-Jan-2009 FinChannel
The WTO has launched a new database on regional trade agreements (RTAs). This contains all the relevant documentation received by the WTO following notification by a WTO member that an RTA has been established.