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Colombian union leader builds opposition to free trade deal
25-Mar-2008 Workday Minnesota
Edgar Paez considers himself fortunate to be able to campaign across the United States this month against the proposed US-Colombia free trade deal. Twenty-two members of his union - assassinated for their activism - weren’t so lucky.
Paraguayan opp candidate: No FTA with US
24-Mar-2008
Fernando Lugo, presidential candidate for Paraguayan opposition Alianza Patriotica para el Cambio showed himself against a Free Trade Agreement with the US in case he wins the elections.
Kenya: How country’s economy survived the EPA threat
24-Mar-2008
Kenya signed an interim trade pact with the European Union in mid November to save its domestic and foreign investors who would have preferred to relocate to lowly ranked neighbouring states in the region, a senior official has disclosed.
Lobbyists meet in Uganda to press for ’just’ EPAs
24-Mar-2008
Ahead of another round of negotiations to conclude the economic partnership agreements with the European Union, civil society from East and Southern Africa meet in Kampala this week to take a common position on the remaining issues — services, agriculture, investment, competition and government procurement.
Emerson defends Colombia, says Korea trade talks could fail
24-Mar-2008
Free trade talks between Canada and South Korea have hit some serious roadblocks and could end in failure, Trade Minister David Emerson said Tuesday.
New Zealand proposes FTA with India
24-Mar-2008
New Zealand has proposed to have a free trade agreement (FTA) with India. It also wants that India import wine, dairy and timber products to boost the bilateral trade between the two countries to more than 616 million NZ dollars.
SKorean leader seeks trade zone with Japan, China
24-Mar-2008 AFP
South Korea’s new president, Lee Myung-Bak, has said he backs a vast free-trade zone with Japan and China to boost the competitiveness of the three economic powers.
India exploring PTA with five African countries
24-Mar-2008 Business Standard
India is working on signing a Preferential Trade agreement (PTA) with South Africa Customs Union (SACU), a regional sub-group of African nations comprising South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland.
Peru, China boost trade ahead of November free trade deal, President Garcia says
23-Mar-2008
Peru and China have agreed to boost trade and investment between their countries ahead of a free trade deal planned for November, President Alan Garcia said.
SAFTA: How successful has it been so far?
23-Mar-2008
The South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) signed by the members of the SAARC and implemented in July 2006, has since been a matter of concern for the countries involved, regarding how effective it is in increasing the economic wellbeing of the region in general. When it was initially signed, the goals included forming a common currency for the region and forming a Customs Union (CU) which would eventually lead to Total Economic Integration.
Tüzmen to Indian businessmen: Urge your gov’t to sign FTA
22-Mar-2008
Foreign Trade Minister Kürsad Tüzmen has called on Indian businessmen to urge the Indian government to sign a free trade agreement between the two countries.
Rowley: Trade agreement with Canada next
22-Mar-2008
A trade agreement with Canada is the next item on the agenda for the Caribbean Community (Caricom).
Finesse, not foolhardiness is the right response to Chinese
22-Mar-2008
The moral high ground is always easier to occupy when falling from it poses little danger of sustaining serious damage. So it required little courage for MP Keith Locke, the Green Party’s indefatigable foreign affairs spokesperson, to put pressure on the Government to take a stronger stand against the Chinese authorities’ crackdown on protesters in Tibet.
NGOs confront EU over regional deals
22-Mar-2008
On his arrival at a Joint Parliamentary Assembly of EU and ACP countries in Slovenian capital Ljubljana this week, EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel was confronted with an array of parliamentarians and civil society activists carrying the message, ’Brussels-made EPAs will not fit ACPs’.
NAFTA clause that allows companies to sue governments draws flak
22-Mar-2008
When agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland Co. quietly filed court documents this month to overturn — and increase — a multi-million-dollar trade penalty it won against the Mexican government, the move shone a light on Chapter 11, perhaps the most controversial clause in the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Industry sees only troubles, no gains from China FTA
22-Mar-2008
The government has been urged to adopt a cautious stand on free trade agreement (FTAs), especially in the case of countries like China, and discourage export of raw materials. Import duties should come down gradually under such pacts and India Inc should be enabled to face global competition, says a study by industry chamber Assocham. While acknowledging that India cannot shy away from globalisation, the government has been asked to beef up infrastructure and provide a favourable exchange rate mechanism to ensure a level playing field.
FM: Association with China generates investments, tourism in Peru
21-Mar-2008
China and Peru will accomplish a free trade agreement (FTA) and become strategic associates, which would bring more investments and tourism to this South American country, Peruvian Foreign Minister Jose Garcia Belaunde said Thursday.
Trade with Malaysia: List of high-growth products ready
20-Mar-2008
As trade negotiations between India and Malaysia on a Comprehensive Economic Co-operation Agreement (CECA) progress, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has identified several products which have high export potential to Malaysia. The list includes auto components and parts, iron and steel and related products, textiles, electrical and mechanical machinery and their spares.
Trade ministry mulls overseas farm investments in FTAs
20-Mar-2008
Korea is mulling over including agricultural investment in free trade agreements with countries like China and Australia that export agricultural products.
India-Asean FTA hinges on Indonesia, market access
20-Mar-2008
The India-Asean free trade agreement (FTA) seems to have come within clinching distance, though the month-end deadline for concluding the negotiations will not be met. In the recent high-level officials meeting in Cambodia, the Indian side managed to make the Asean members happy with their side of offers. The Asean countries, especially Indonesia, however, have to come up with some more concessions to seal the deal.