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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.
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.