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JCTU urges gov’t to postpone EPA signing
The Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions has joined in the call for the government to postpone signing the Economic Partnership Agreement recently negotiated with the European Union.
Two years target for FTA conclusion with EU very ambitious, says Asean Sec-Gen
Asean Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan today shot down the possibility of a speedy conclusion of the European Union-Asean Free Trade Agreement
Issues stalling free trade pact with Asean resolved
India has concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), with the deadlock over certain ‘outstanding issues’ that were stalling the pact from taking off being finally resolved.
Asean, India agree on FTA
After three years of strenuous talks, negotiations for the free trade agreement (FTA) between Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) and India were finally concluded Thursday.
Unresolved issues aplenty before India-Japan FTA
Despite India’s hope of concluding the Indo-Japan free trade agreement (FTA) in the next round of talks in New Delhi in September this year, there still remains a whole gamut of unresolved issues concerning market access for Indian exports to Japan.
Bush visit prompts nationwide protests
Korean citizens voice opposition to US beef deal, Afghan troop deployment and KORUS FTA
Calling for solidarity - Lee Myung-bak government repression against the KCTU and Fundamental Trade Union Rights
When KCTU called for general strike on July 2nd, renegotiation of the April 18 Protocol on US beef import to reflect food safety concerns was declared as one of priorities of strike aims. The Ministry of Labor and prosecutor explained that this was the main reason that it was illegal. This is a repetition of the South Korean government’s very narrow interpretation that the only legal aims of strikes be related to wages and working conditions.
US dairy industry set to resist push for NZ FTA
The United States’ dairy sector is looming as a major stumbling block for any New Zealand-USA free trade agreement as American farm lobbyists worry that NZ dairy exports could flood their domestic market.
EU-Asean minus FTA expected in three years’ time
An EU-Asean Minus Free Trade Agreement — likely to exclude Laos, Burma and Cambodia — is expected to be established within the next two to three years’ time, a European Commission official in Indonesia said.
Great expectations from expanded customs union
A top businessman and some economists in Namibia are optimistic that the proposed Southern African Development Community (SADC) Customs Union will break down trade barriers in the region and create competition that will benefit the ordinary consumer.
Colombia deal side agreements under microscope
With the Canada-Colombia deal done, but the text still kept secret, some say that the provisions on labour and the environment at least establish a record of commitment, while others say that without enforceable complaint mechanisms the side agreements amount to little more than lip service.
Step up competitive edge to cope with liberalisation challenges, says Muhyiddin
Local companies must step up their competitive edge to compete with products of foreign companies that will enter the Malaysian market in the goods and services sector under the liberalisation process of the World Trade Organization, Free Trade Agreements and Asean Framework Agreement on Services.
Japan pushing JPEPA due to WTO collapse
The collapse of the World Trade Organization (WTO) talks last week are pushing Japan to become even more aggressive in seeking bilateral and regional trade deals that advance its big corporate interests.
Sri Lankan MPs clash over CEPA with India
Sparks flew in the Sri Lankan parliament as supporters and critics clashed over the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India.
CKUT - Off the hour - collapse of WTO talks
Interview with Aziz Choudry on the collapse of WTO talks in Geneva, and what’s happening with FTAs, aired on CKUT Radio’s Off the Hour, Tuesday edition, 5 August 2008.
APEC in Peru to prepare FTA for Asia-Pacific region
The Peruvian Foreign Trade Ministry said Tuesday that representatives of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Peru will discuss the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for the Asia-Pacific Region.
NGO says Australia bullying Pacific over free trade deal
Australia has been accused of trying to fast-track new free trade negotiations with Pacific Island countries at a recent regional trade ministers’ meeting in the Cook Islands.
‘Increased foreign investment will not lift all boats’
Paul Moist, the President of Canada’s largest union, expressed concern about a free trade deal between Canada and Colombia during a recent meeting with Fabio Valencio, Colombia’s Minister of the Interior.
Taipei aims to throttle Taiwan-Dominican Free Trade Deal
Taiwan president Ying Jeou Ma today said he’s interested in accelerating talks for a Free Trade Agreement with Dominican Republic, for which his country’s representatives were already instructed to expedite them.
Jordan, Canada to sign joint free trade agreement
Jordan and Canada will initially sign a joint free trade agreement at the end of this month and will be officially approved by the end of this year, Jordanian General Secretariat for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Muntaser Al-Aqla said on Tuesday.