bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

All articles

EU clamps down on Nigerian cocoa
25-Jan-2008 Modern Ghana
Following the decision of Nigeria not to endorse the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the European Union, cocoa processing firms in that country have been facing stiff export hurdles, resulting in multi-million dollar losses since the beginning of January.
Japan’s EPA strategy targets East Asia
25-Jan-2008 UPI
Filipino activists are spearheading an East Asian campaign to stop not only JPEPA but also other Japanese EPAs in the region.
ASEAN-Japan FTA expected to be signed in May
25-Jan-2008 MCOT
A free trade area (FTA) agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan is expected to be inked this May, a senior Thai official said Thursday.
Europe supports Morocco’s EU partnership aspirations
25-Jan-2008 Maghrebia
Morocco invited European Union leaders to Rabat on Monday to discuss the transformation of its current Association Agreement into "advanced status" with the EU. The European ministers in attendance underlined their support for the Moroccan initiative.
Fair trade group renews call for JPEPA renegotiation
24-Jan-2008 Fair trade group renews call for JPEPA renegotiation
The Fair Trade Alliance urged the government anew to renegotiate the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) after Senator Manuel Roxas II has favored its full ratification.
Panama and Chile to start free trade
24-Jan-2008 Prensa Latina
Panama and Chile will implement a bilateral free trade agreement on March 7, signed by both countries, the Panamanian Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday.
Peru : FTA wih Canada nearing conclusion
24-Jan-2008 Fibre2Fashion
Peru’s Foreign Minister Ms Mercedes Araoz made an announcement to the effect that Peru and Canada were close to concluding negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement.
Ecuador rules out FTA with US
24-Jan-2008 Prensa Latina
Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Maria Isabel Salvador ruled out a Free Trade Agreement with the United States but defended a commercial deal with that country.
Australia: ’India’s financial sector interests us’
24-Jan-2008 Economic Times
The new Australian government would forge closer relationship with India and take the partnership forward in key areas like energy infrastructure, agriculture and food processing, feels Simon Crean, Australia’s minister for trade.
USDA says "managed" trade agreements would hurt NAFTA
24-Jan-2008 Brownfield Network
Sugar producers in the US and Mexico are suggesting new trade limits and rules for sugar be considered. But USDA Under Secretary Mark Keenum, one of the dignitaries recently in Mexico to celebrate the full implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, says no single commodity should be allowed to set new trade rules.
Revisiting (and reworking) NAFTA
24-Jan-2008 Thomas.net
As US presidential candidates jockey for position in the primaries, free trade has taken a more prominent role than anyone expected. And with the nation grappling with the threat of recession, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has been coming under fire. A recently introduced bill would require improving NAFTA — or withdrawing from it.
No commitments to implementing the Arab Free Trade Agreement
24-Jan-2008 Dar Al Hayat
The president of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists questions the fate of the Arab Free Trade Agreement ten years after its actual implementation.
Guyana mulls over membership in ALBA
24-Jan-2008 El Universal
Guyana Monday announced it would delay its entry into the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) — a regional economic integration project boosted by Venezuela to counter the Free Trade Area of the Americas proposed by the United States. "We will see what happens now, as we initialed the Economic Cooperation Agreement with Europe," Guyana’s Foreign Minister said.
Bangladesh eyes FTA with China
24-Jan-2008 MySinchew
Bangladesh is eying a free trade agreement (FTA) with its biggest trading partner China. As the country has achieved a little from many multilateral and regional deals, the government plans to improve its two-way trade with major trading partners, sources said.
China, Peru to set up free trade agreement
24-Jan-2008 CCTV
Talks between China and Peru to set up a free trade agreement are well underway. The Andean country says it hopes to become China’s most important commercial link in Latin America.
Text of US-Mexican sugar industry deal (2008)
23-Jan-2008 IATP
The US and Mexican sugar industry are trying to get a deal adopted by their governments to regulate sugar trade, now that NAFTA has dismanteled all remaining tariffs between the two countries as of 1 January 2008.
FairTrade renews call for JPEPA renegotiation
23-Jan-2008 FairTrade renews call for JPEPA renegotiation
Former Senator Wigberto Tanada, lead convenor of the multi-sectoral Fair Trade Alliance (FairTrade), is hoping that Senator Mar Roxas, who is now proposing the full ratification of JPEPA, will still change his mind.
Which India, Mr Brown?
22-Jan-2008 The Guardian
The EU’s stated aim is to use its planned free trade agreement to open up new Indian markets to European exports, especially in those areas which have traditionally been closed to foreign companies. India, which aims to win opportunities for its own exports, has asked that it be allowed some flexibility in opening up its domestic markets in order to protect the most vulnerable sectors of its economy. The EU has refused to grant India any such leeway.
Mexico farmers sow NAFTA dissent
22-Jan-2008 Prensa Latina
The Mexican farmers heading to the capital in rejection of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) are growing along their way.
Ecowas EPA - the facts and the falacies
22-Jan-2008 AllAfrica.com
From Ken Ukaoha, National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS)