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EC’s non-coherent EPA policy on Africa
16-May-2008 New Era
The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) agenda of the European Commission (EC) clearly illustrates the masquerade of its disdainful approach towards Africa in an accelerated disregard for the EU’s coherence policy.
Meat wars with South Korea
16-May-2008 Counter Punch
While the FTA delivers on Lee’s pledge to double South Korea’s wealth if elected and lets the U.S. rebuild its Asian beef trade obliterated by a mad cow scare five years ago—especially exports to China and Japan—many in South Korea are saying, "You want us to import WHAT"?
FTA hinges on farm deal, US tells India
16-May-2008 Deccan Herald
The United States, on Wednesday, said prospects of a free trade agreement with India are “too pre-mature” as it depends on opening of market for agricultural products, though progress has been made in manufacturing and services.
Green party voices concerns over FTA
15-May-2008
Bilateral agreements such as New Zealand’s free trade agreement with China threaten the right of democratically-elected governments to regulate to protect the environment or people’s safety, Green Party co-leader Russel Norman told a parliamentary select committee today.
Investment provisions in Economic Partnership Agreements
15-May-2008
This paper examines the investment provisions of the CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement and their implications for development. The paper also clarifies the link between investment provisions in an EPA and existing bilateral investment treaties. It concludes with recommendations for both review of the investment provisions in the CARIFORUM EPA, and for other ACP states that decide to embark on negotiations on investment with the EU.
Rules of Origin and EPAs: What has been agreed? What does it mean? What next?
15-May-2008
This paper provides an analysis on the significance of changes made to rules of origin during the EPA negotiations
Agriculture potential barrier to closer trade ties with Japan
14-May-2008
Prime Minister Helen Clark will push for closer economic ties when she holds talks today with her Japanese counterpart Yasuo Fukuda today.
JPEPA: ’Unconstitutional’ on 15 counts yet...
14-May-2008 PCIJ
The Philippines Senate’s ratification of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) is not likely to push through until, possibly, this August.
NZ, Japan a step closer to trade deal
14-May-2008 Stuff
New Zealand and Japan have taken a first step towards free trade negotiations, agreeing today to a study on the benefits of a closer economic partnership.
RI asks Australia, New Zealand to open their textile markets
13-May-2008
Indonesia has asked Australia and New Zealand to open their textile and textile product markets under a free trade arrangement (FTA) with ASEAN.
Intellectual property in EU EPAs with the ACP countries: What way forward after the Cariforum EPA and the interim EPAs?
13-May-2008 CIEL
This paper explores the implications of ACP Countries continuing negotiations for further IPR protection in EPAs by: conducting an analysis to determine the exact nature of commitments that the ACP regions have made regarding the basis and scope of future negotiations on IPRs; examining some of the more significant provisions on IPRs in the EU-Cariforum EPA; and concluding with recommendations for future actions that ACP countries can take in their approach to IPRs in future EPA negotiations.
IBSA to sort out issues to increase mutual cooperation
13-May-2008
India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) is working towards sorting out procedural and infrastructural bottlenecks to increase mutual operation in key areas of energy, tourism and mining, industry body CII said on Monday.
IBSA strengthens its commitment to democracy
13-May-2008
The "strategic alliance" that is the India-Brazil-South Africa trilateral axis is now more than simply a dialogue but a "privileged relationship" favouring a world where democracy will prevail not only in its political manifestation but also on social and cultural levels
Dominican Republic-U.S. trade deficit jumps to US$688M on imports
13-May-2008
In the first three months this year the country posted a trade deficit with the United States of US$688 million, much higher than the US$426 million in the year earlier period, reports newspaper Hoy.
Amid trade talks, MPs visit Colombia’s refugees
13-May-2008
A group of Canadian MPs travelled to Colombia Monday to get a first-hand look at one of the hemisphere’s most volatile countries before Ottawa finalizes a free trade deal with its government.
Canada’s unwitting role in Colombia
13-May-2008
Parliament is currently debating whether to approve the still-undisclosed text of a future free-trade agreement with Colombia. Canada’s expected gains are increased access for agricultural and mining goods, plus better legal protection for Canadian companies investing in Colombia. Colombian gains are rather small, however - concentrated on flowers and textiles, since 80 per cent of what is sold to Canada already enters free of duty.
High powered push for Japan trade deal
13-May-2008
It’s time to get serious about doing a trade deal with Japan, says free trade and business lobbyists, who say we’ve been neglecting our relationship with the world’s second biggest economy.
Parties collide over US beef at FTA hearing
13-May-2008 Yonhap
South Korea’s political parties collided over the scheduled import of US beef Tuesday, as opposition parties continued their move to link the beef accord with ratification of a free trade deal with Washington.
Second round of negotiations on CEPA starts in Islamabad today
12-May-2008
The second round of negotiations between Srilanka and Pakistan on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) starts in Islamabad today (Tuesday).
Pakistan, Mauritius to activate FTA in 18 months
12-May-2008
Pakistan and Mauritius agreed to operationalise a free trade agreement between the two countries within 18 months to boost South-South trade. Addressing a press conference at the Ministry of Commerce after the conclusion of a three-day 7th Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting, Anand Priyay Neewoor, the head of Mauritius delegation, said the issue of sensitive products would be settled once the FTA became operational between the two countries.