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Proposed India-EU FTA draws flak
2-Dec-2008 Financial Express
A group of Indian trade unionists, farmers, fishworkers and intelligentsia have criticised the secret negotiation which are underway between India and the European Union to strike a free trade agreement (FTA). They have demanded a halt to the ongoing negotiations till transparency is achieved in the process.
Be suspicious of India-EU pact
2-Dec-2008 Economic Times
There is an outcry over the proposed India-EU free trade agreement, the contents of which are being ‘secretly’ negotiated by the two governments. Last week, an outfit called Forum on FTAs—a coalition of over 75 organisations including trade unions, farmer and fishermen groups and other civil society organisations—demanded that the talks be halted immediately.
SADC Free Trade a Boon for Namibian Market, Says Report
1-Dec-2008
The size of the domestic market has long been a thorn in the flesh for local businesses.
IGAD set to become free trade area in 2009 - Chief
30-Nov-2008
The seven-member regional Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is set to become a free trade area.
Free trade by any other name
30-Nov-2008
As the December 2007 deadline was approaching, the European Commission realised that it would not get what it badly wanted: to close a deal with all African regions on the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) - basically free-trade pacts.
CSME on slow march
30-Nov-2008
There are growing concerns, regionwide, that the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) project may be in serious danger of not being realised as planned for 2015. It is currently on a slow march.
Timing of FTA ratification
30-Nov-2008
The Lee government seems to have come to realize, albeit belatedly, that its attempted push for early enforcement of the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) was a non-starter from the beginning. The FTA was a top priority for President Lee Myung-bak, who believed it would help turn around the nation’s declining economy.
Thailand: Status as regional leader in doubt
30-Nov-2008 IPS
The inability of the government to function lessens the prospect of Thailand failing to get parliament’s approval of trade deals vital for ASEAN’s economic agenda. The country needs to get the legislature’s backing for 30 agreements, including an ASEAN-India free trade agreement and an ASEAN-South Korea free trade agreement.
Indonesian chefs, teachers ready to fill New Zealand market
29-Nov-2008
Local skilled workers will have a chance next year to try their luck in New Zealand, which has agreed to open up to Indonesian workers as part of a free trade agreement (FTA).
Trade Deals Will Face More Critics in Congress
29-Nov-2008
Free-trade critics picked up more than two dozen House seats and at least six Senate seats in the Nov. 4 election, a shift that could further endanger proposed free-trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea.
Argentina’s protectionist policies alienate Mercosur partners
29-Nov-2008
As was anticipated Mercosur senior members Argentina and Brazil proposed Friday an increase of the common external tariff, (AEC) for certain products, and as was expected junior members Uruguay and Paraguay rejected the idea.
S. Korea, EU to Resume FTA Talks in Mid-Dec.
29-Nov-2008
South Korea and the European Union will resume their negotiations in Vienna Dec. 15 - 17 to finalize their free trade agreement talks, Yonhap News reported Saturday, quoting an unnamed government official.
US senators write to Taiwan President Ma over meat trade issue
29-Nov-2008 Taiwan News
Two influential American senators have written to Republic of China President Ma Ying-jeou expressing "deep concern" about what they describe as "continued Taiwanese barriers to US agricultural products." Taiwan allows only imports of US boneless beef from cattle under 30 months of age because of concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease.
European Parliamentarian says Pacific EPAs must be changed
29-Nov-2008 The EPA Exposed
A member of the European Parliament has told the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) - European Union (EU) joint parliamentary assembly meeting this week in Port Moresby that free trade deals initialled between the EU and Pacific countries must be changed to reflect the development needs of the region.
Cote d’Ivoire succumbs to EU
29-Nov-2008 IPS
Cote d’Ivoire became the first country in Africa to sign a ’stepping stone’ economic partnership agreement with the European Union this week, prompting fears that the accord will prevent the country from developing closer ties with its neighbours.
Turkey-Montenegro sign free trade agreement
29-Nov-2008 Emportal
Turkey and Montenegro signed a free trade agreement on the sidelines of a Balkan economy summit in Istanbul.
China-Singapore FTA (2008)
29-Nov-2008
Turkey in the straw
28-Nov-2008 Watermelon Blog
I rarely go into town these days, and when I have to I try to make the trip worthwhile by doing as many things as I can while I’m there. Kevin Rudd obviously thinks the same way, because when he goes off to these conferences overseas he tries to pack a lot in.
ALBA member nations to create common currency
28-Nov-2008
Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas, ALBA, announced on Wednesday it will create a common currency.
Ruling On Land Threat To Foreign Investment - lawyer
28-Nov-2008
The judgement by the Supreme Court this week dismissing a Danish land suit against the government has shown that any foreign investment in land will not be protected by the law, defence lawyer Advocate Lewis Uriri has said.