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The unanimous opinion
19-May-2007 Granma
We are witnessing, on the hemispheric and Latin American scene, a growing insurgency regarding the predominance of neoliberalism.
Namibia: ’Half cooked’ opinion piece upsets meat industry
17-May-2007 AllAfrica.com
An opinion piece by Meatco’s market researcher and trade advisor about the on-going Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations between the European Union and SADC had the meat industry crying foul last week and saying such views could throw the industry into jeopardy.
Africa’s largest trade bloc in final stages of forming customs union, says official
17-May-2007 IHT
Africa’s largest trade bloc (COMESA) is in the final stages of setting up a customs union after completing work on tariffs to charge on goods imported from outside the group.
Starving the poor
17-May-2007 The News International
The connection between instability in the Middle East and the cost of feeding a family in the Americas isn’t direct, of course. But as with all international trade, power tilts the balance.
EU-Central America FTA - EC negotiating mandate (draft, 2007)
17-May-2007
EU-CAN FTA - EU negotiating mandate (draft, 2007)
17-May-2007
FDCL alert: European free trade onslaught in Latin America
17-May-2007 FDCL
European Union endorses highly dangerous negotiation mandates for free trade areas with Central America and the Andean Community
Pak-US investment treaty in doldrums
17-May-2007 The News International
The proposed Pak-US Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) is in the doldrums as the two sides have differences in certain areas and are showing no flexibility in their stances.
The ultimate risks of water privatization
17-May-2007 Jakarta Post
MNCs can always refer to Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) to which Indonesia is a party and use the "umbrella clause" in the BIT to transform a problem that was originally a contractual dispute into an international investment dispute.
India looks for key to Nafta in Mexico
17-May-2007 Economic Times
India is all set to sign a bilateral investment protection agreement (BIPA) with Mexico on May 21. This will be first such agreement with a member of the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta).
China, Peru to establish free trade zone
17-May-2007 CCTV
China and Peru launched the first joint feasibility study in Beijing on building a free trade zone in the past two days, and pledged to conclude the study within three months, said Wang Xinpei, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday.
Asian bloc hopes new deal with Canada could lead to free trade pact
17-May-2007 Embassy Magazine
Vietnam’s assistant foreign affairs minister says Canada and members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) are "optimistic" about a free trade agreement, but doesn’t want to speculate as to when such a deal would come to fruition.
Important challenges face Asian FTAs
17-May-2007 Ohmynews
Asian economic regionalism, driven by active FTAs, reached a decisive point recently as China, South Korea, Japan and ASEAN countries compromised on the plan for financial reserves to put the possible financial crisis under control.
SKorea official warns FTA with US could collapse
17-May-2007 AFP
A senior South Korean official warned Wednesday that the free trade deal with the United States could collapse if Washington "unilaterally" urges Seoul to revise it to reflect new US policy guidelines.
Congress report says US conceded little in FTA negotiations
17-May-2007 Hankyoreh
The Congressional Research Service, the research arm of the United States Congress, concluded in a recent report that the establishment of a "Committee on Outward Processing Zones on the Korean Peninsula" was a concession on the part of the US from its stance on products produced in North Korea, but that American negotiators yielded nothing of substance in free trade talks with South Korea.
EU vows to press ahead with free trade deals with ACP states
16-May-2007 EUX.TV
The European Union on Tuesday vowed to press ahead with efforts to eliminate tariffs and quotas on imports from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states, arguing that the deals were needed to open up markets in poor nations. "We must create regional markets, ... poor countries need bigger regional markets," German Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek- Zeul said.
South Korea, Australia to begin study of free trade pact this year
16-May-2007 Yonhap
South Korea and Australia will begin a joint study this year to explore a free trade agreement, a senior trade official said Wednesday.
Asean, EU may take years to ink FTA
16-May-2007 Financial Express
A deal may come only nearer to 2015, the year Asean is targeting for the creation of a single market for its 10 members, Asean secretary general Ong Keng Yong said.
Malawi-South Africa agreement "will attract investors"
16-May-2007 IPS
The Malawian government is optimistic that its new economic and technical cooperation agreement with South Africa will finally draw investors from its mighty neighbour.
Indo-Thai FTA talks gather momentum
16-May-2007 Economic Times
India has sought a major expansion of the opportunities on offer for Indian professionals in Thailand, as the two countries rush to conclude the negotiations on a free-trade agreement (FTA) comprising trade in goods and services and investment, which is likely to be signed during Thai premier General Surayud Chulanont’s visit to New Delhi in June.