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Gulf states launch GCC common market
The six oil-rich Gulf monarchies ushered in the New Year on Tuesday by setting up a common market with a combined economy of 715 billion dollars.
FTAs and safety standards
Unlike India, most Asean countries have a very robust regime of quality and safety standards for products imported into their markets. What that means under an India-ASEAN FTA is that Indian manufacturers, despite having lower entry tariffs into Asean, will still not be able to export their products unless they meet the strict safety and quality regulations of those countries.
Pak-Malaysia FTA to be operational from today
Pakistan and Malaysia are set to enter into a free trade arrangement (FTA) from New Year today under Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (MPCEPA) 2008-2014.
Sri Lanka, India set to finalize bilateral trade agreement
India and Sri Lanka may finalise discussions on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement this week
US uranium mining company plans poses threat to over one million Canadians
Thanks to politicians corrupted by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a US mining company is poised to make commercial profit by spreading uranium contamination across eastern Ontario and western Quebec.
NZers raise concerns over free trade with China at global rights event
Christchurch supporters of the Human Rights Torch Relay are asking how New Zealand can consider a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China — a regime facing allegations of large-scale genocide and organ harvesting.
Japan scoffs at review of economic deal
Tokyo is not amenable to a renegotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreement it has signed with Manila, according to an official of the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines.
Human wall on Mexico-US border to protest NAFTA
On January 1, Mexican farmers and social groups will make a human wall on the border checkpoint in Ciudad Juarez to protest against the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
China and Arabic countries forge economic strategic partnership
The Arab world holds an important position in Chinese enterprises’ global strategies. It is predicted that China and the Gulf Cooperation Council will sign a free trade agreement soon.
India allows Bangla cos to invest
The Foreign Exchange Management Act has been amended allowing Bangladeshi companies to invest in India. These changes will clear the way for India-Bangladesh bilateral investment promotion agreement.
Broken promise for Mexican truckers bodes ill for free trade
Just before breaking for the holidays, US Congress effectively reneged on the North American Free Trade Agreement’s promise to give Mexican truckers full access to US roads.
Select few see benefits of free trade: report
The Canadian Business Council on National Issues, whose CEOs pushed for free trade with the United States two decades ago, and that remain members of the since-renamed Canadian Council of Chief Executives, have cut jobs since even as their revenues have soared
India-GCC: Petrochem industry fears free trade with the Gulf
A leading industry body has urged the Indian government to keep key petrochemical products outside the purview of the proposed free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council, fearing unfair competitive advantage.
Vying for position
The European Union and the United States are increasingly involved in a widening medley of trade and other agreements in the Middle East and North Africa region. As the EU and US push for more and varied free trade agreements, rivalries between these global economic giants also spur competition among Arab countries.
Uganda: Workers get nod for Epas talks
The government is to involve labour unions in all future Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs) negotiations with the European Union.
Free trade with US a boom for elites, a bust for most: report
Canada’s 20-year-old free trade agreement with the United States has not lived up to its billing and the promises of its proponents, says a new report that seeks to debunk the conventional wisdom that the deal was the best thing for Canada since sliced bread.
Grim present, dim future for Andean integration
The Andean countries are passing through the gates of the new year with their trade bloc, the Andean Community of Nations (CAN), fraying at the edges.
Lawmakers to clash over US FTA
Korea’s parliamentary "yes-or-no without amendment" vote on the Korea-US FTA motion may not be carried out before Roh’s term expires on Feb. 25.
FTA talks with Japan to resume
Korea’s stalled and deadlocked free trade talks with Japan might see a breakthrough under the economic stewardship of President-elect, and former Hyundai CEO, Lee Myung-bak.
Mexican lawmakers fear social destabilization
The president of the Agriculture Committee at the House of Deputies, Hector Padilla, said on Sunday that the agricultural chapter of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will cause social destabilization in Mexico.