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Govt commits to putting FTA to parliamentary vote
New Zealand Green Party MP Keith Locke has welcomed the Government’s commitment in the House today to put the free trade agreement with China, to be signed in April, to a Parliamentary vote.
EPA harmful’ - Academics lobby for renegotiation of trade deal
A group of academics, while stopping short of labelling the trade pact an outright failure, are proposing that Cariforum renegotiate the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), saying it gives up too much to the Europeans in exchange for too little.
Mexico’s Calderon pushes for Panama trade deal
Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Wednesday said Mexico was ready to talk to Panama about restarting stalled discussions on a free trade deal.
U.S. lawmaker says FTA approval impossible this year
A senior U.S. Democrat lawmaker said Tuesday the free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea has no chance of passing the Congress this year, a contention strongly disputed by the South Korean ambassador to the U.S. who said he was confident Seoul can garner enough votes.
Caricom eyes Brazil’s alert
When Ministers of Caricom’s Council for Finance and Planning (COFAP) meet in The Bahamas tomorrow, they are expected to consider the implications for this region of reservations expressed by Brazil at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on provisions of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) being negotiated with the European Commission (EC).
Mandelson in eggdance to placate SA, Namibia
EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson spoke of a "significant development" at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) ministerial meeting held in Botswana yesterday.
Pawar urges SAARC countries to strengthen SAFTA
Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday urged the SAARC countries to strengthen the regional trade and pointed out that the region does not correspond to the so-called natural trading partner hypothesis and "SAFTA’s economic relevance is being questioned".
Thai Exhibition 2008 begins in city: Bangkok proposes FTA with Dhaka
The four-day Thailand Exhibition 2008 began at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel yesterday with Bangkok renewing its proposal for bilateral FTA with Dhaka for boosting the two-way trade.
Ecuador and investment treaties
The government of Ecuador recently announced plans to withdraw from at least nine bilateral investment treaties, a move that follows the country’s partial withdrawal last October from the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and comes amid growing discontent among some South American governments with the system for international investment protection. What’s wrong with the system?
Bush urges Congress to pass Colombia trade pact
President George W. Bush urged U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday to put aside differences over a free trade agreement with Colombia and approve the pact to show support for a strong U.S. ally at the center of a crisis in Latin America.
Shoemakers fear FTA
Carcar City’s shoemakers are looking with dread at 2010, the year the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-China Free Trade Area is set to be created.
Jean Charest disturbed by U.S. talk of reopening free-trade deal
Premier Jean Charest is using talk of reopening the North American free-trade deal to help his efforts to get a free-trade accord between Canada and the European Union.
ESA Region Keen to Conclude EPA Mission - Minister
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Felix Mutati, has reiterated Eastern and Southern African (ESA) countries’ commitment to conclude a comprehensive, inclusive and development friendly Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU).
India looks to new Govt. in Pak to implement SAFTA
India on Monday exuded confidence that the new government in Islamabad will take immediate steps to implement the South Asian Free Trade Agreement with New Delhi and take necessary measures, including duty changes, to facilitate trade.
Trade deals spark warning
The Pacific Network on Globalisation warned Pacific governments to be wary of viewing Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement as "stepping stone" towards free trade deals with rich nations.
Gildan may get caught up in U.S. election politics on Honduras tariff ruling
Canadian sock manufacturing giant Gildan Activewear Inc. (TSX:GIL) could get caught in the middle of U.S. election-year politics as the Bush administration decides whether to end the company’s duty-free shipments of socks from Honduras.
Rudd may be pinning his hopes on trade policy that is past its use-by date
Kevin Rudd and his Trade Minister, Simon Crean, are very clear on the direction for trade liberalisation under a Labor Government.
EU won’t push India on FTA
Brussels, March 3. The European Commission will not rush the talks with Delhi for a free-trade agreement even though India’s proposed FTA with Japan could happen sooner and affect the European Union member-countries’ presence in the Indian market.
Pakistan-EU talks to resume after over a decade
The Pakistan-European Union Joint Commission is expected to meet within three months, after remaining suspended for over a decade, and a possible free trade agreement is on the agenda.
EU-India FTA hits roadblock
The prospects of free trade agreement between the European Union and India being wrapped up by the 2008-end deadline look very bleak with sharp differences having arisen over various issues — intellectual property rights, competition, agriculture, public procurement, market access and transparency.