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Despite gov’t action, protests against US beef continue
4-Jun-2008 Hankyoreh
The “People’s Countermeasure Council against Full Resumption of Imports of US Beef Endangered with Mad Cow Disease,” an umbrella organization of Korean civic groups and cyber activists issued a statement on June 3 saying that the government "needs to decide for sure that it will fully and permanently prohibit the importation of beef [from US cattle over 30 months old], and demand that the US accept this.”
Reducing import tariffs will help Saarc: report
3-Jun-2008
After the recently released, ‘The Growth Report: Strategies for Sustained Growth and Inclusive Development’ released recently by the Commission on Growth and Development, supported by DFID, UK and World Bank among other international organisations, which mentions that in the last 30 years, absolute poverty has fallen dramatically fallen due to sustained growth, and that India is likely to grow at a fast pace for another 15 years, an upcoming report from the Commonwealth Business Council and the Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry, commenting on the Saarc region, says that the very limited intra-regional trade in South Asia in aggregate terms does not exceed 5% of the region’s total trade.
Maritime sector to see changes when EPA takes effect
3-Jun-2008
With the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) scheduled for July this year between CARICOM states, the Dominican Republic and the European Union (EU), several services within the local maritime sector could see changes taking place when the Agreement takes effect.
Legislators to Hold Seminar On EPAs
3-Jun-2008
Parliament will Wednesday hold a joint consultative seminar on the role of Parliament and the private sector in the ongoing negotiations expected to pave way for signing the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).
Time running out for Korean FTA
3-Jun-2008 Asia Times
The sense in Washington is that Congress will either vote against ratifying the US-Korea FTA or will simply not vote on it at all. Bush has yet to send it to Congress for ratification, and he’s getting advice on all sides to drop it, to let it slide into the next administration.
Seoul asks Washington not to ship beef from older cattle
3-Jun-2008 Yonhap
Agriculture Minister Chung Woon-chun said that until the two nations reach an agreement on the age limit of cattle when they are slaughtered for meat to be exported to South Korea, Seoul will not implement its revised sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards. The move effectively allows South Korea to keep its import ban on US beef that has been in place since early October.
FTAs: so near and yet so far
3-Jun-2008 The Hindu
Though India’s Union Government has been pushing for an FTA with many countries on a bilateral basis, and also with regional blocks like ASEAN and the EU, there have been no major breakthroughs.
Hong Kong, Peru sign joint trade statement
3-Jun-2008 Government of Hong Kong
The two sides will work towards the development of a co-operation arrangement on trade and investment facilitation. This will lay the foundation for future consideration of a free-trade agreement between Hong Kong and Peru.
US agrees to expand trade and investment with Sri Lanka
3-Jun-2008 Asian Tribune
The US-Sri Lanka TIFA Council discussed issues affecting US exports, such as Sri Lanka’s agricultural biotechnology policies, import tariffs, intellectual property rights protection, and transparency in government procurement.
Note exchange marks effective RI-Japan EPA
2-Jun-2008
Indonesia and Japan have effectively started bilateral economic cooperation under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) framework starting on July 1.
Obama Opposes Korea-U.S. FTA
2-Jun-2008
Leading U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama, who is close to securing the democratic nomination for president, came out criticizing the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.
South Korean government crack down peaceful demonstration!
2-Jun-2008 KCTU
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions calls on the Korean government to repeal the US beef deal, stop the violence of the riot police and respect people’s voices and rights.
S Korea delays controversial US beef imports
2-Jun-2008 AFP
South Korea decided Monday to put off the implementation of its decision to resume US beef imports, the agriculture ministry said in the wake of widespread protests.
Nigeria "threatens" neighbours in wake of bilateral EPAs
2-Jun-2008 IPS
West African states are working at salvaging regional relations with a renewed attempt to collectively negotiate an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with the European Union.
Riot police trample coed repeatedly in Seoul
2-Jun-2008 Seoul Times
South Korean police’s brutal suppression toward ever-growing anti-US beef demonstrations by its citizen became the key issue as the confrontation between police and protesters got more fierce.
Trade unions and bilaterals: Do’s and don’ts - a trade union guide [EN-ES-FR]
2-Jun-2008 ITUC
This trade union guide to bilaterals has been produced in an effort to fill an information gap so that trade unions can get more involved in their governments’ negotiation and implementation of bilateral and regional trade agreements
Awaiting the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement
1-Jun-2008 PhilStar
Corporate opportunities from JPEPA, if ever the Philippine Senate ratifies it
Business carrot for new Nepal regime on cards
1-Jun-2008 Economic Times
Even as Nepal prepares to abolish monarchy and declare itself the world’s newest republic under a government led by Maoists, the Indian government is preparing a new wave of business diplomacy to establish cordial ties — including an FTA — with the new regime.
US beef protest draws 100,000 S Koreans
31-May-2008 Guardian
"Not just the beef deal, but the Lee Myung-bak government’s policies are anti-working people and are not right," college student Ju Ha-na, who took part in a head-shaving ceremony in protest, said.
Statement: UNASUR must be used to strengthen the integration of South America
31-May-2008 HSA
Social organisations and popular movements of South America demand a genuine role in the decisions made regarding how UNASUR is designed and rolled out.