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US complicit in labor abuse
31-May-2007 Argus Leader Media
Why would the business community be applauding an agreement that guaranteed workers’ rights in FTAs — something they’d been fighting against for years? Because they’d been given assurances, relative to American workers, "that the labor provisions cannot be read to require compliance with ILO Conventions."
Korea: No more free downloads of music after FTA
31-May-2007 AsiaMedia
The Korea-US free trade agreement (FTA) means a lot more than the simple scrapping of tariffs. The full text of the pact released by the government showed that the strengthened protection on intellectual property rights will affect our daily lives.
Poisonous articles on IPR chapter in Korea-US FTA (eg. shutting down internet sites)
31-May-2007
We are very worried about the Korea-US FTA’s IPR chapter and its confirmation letters. They have very dangerous things which the former US FTA didn’t have. If this Korea US FTA is passed, then the US will request other countries to include these things in the following FTA.
Positive headway made on FTA with European Union.: Humayun Akhtar Khan
30-May-2007
Minister for commerce Humayun Akhtar Khan has said rise and fall in trade deficit is part of government policies and commerce ministry has no role behind it.
Don’t forget to read the trade deal’s fine print
30-May-2007
It’s a trade negotiator’s nightmare. The Costa Rican Supreme Court has announced plans to review the United States-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) to assess the impact of that agreement upon civil liberties and human rights.
Minority opinion
30-May-2007
It remains unclear to me what the advantages of being part of the Saarc grouping are over entering into bilateral relations with each individual Saarc country instead. I have always like the concept of Bimstec instead.
China, India to advance feasibility research on regional trade arrangement
30-May-2007
Chinese and Indian trade officials will meet in Beijing next month to discuss the viability of initiating a regional trade arrangement, Ministry of Commerce spokesman Wang Xinpei said on Wednesday at a regular press conference.
Merchandise FTA with five ASEAN countries to take effect next month
30-May-2007
A merchandise free trade agreement between South Korea and five member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will take effect on June 1, officials said Wednesday.
Trade talks setback
30-May-2007
Ministers from India and Oman offered different views on the progress of free-trade talks between India and Gulf countries, although both officials yesterday said a deal was achievable.
Bilateral trade between Malaysia and South Korea to rise further
30-May-2007
Bilateral trade between Malaysia and South Korea is expected to increase further with the completion of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Asean and South Korea this year.
Pak-Malaysia to sign FTA within two months: Humayun
30-May-2007
Minister for Commerce, Humayun Akhtar Khan said on Wednesday said that Pakistan -Malaysia have concluded negotiations on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and it will be signed within next two - month for improving trade and investment between them. "The initiative includes trade in goods, trade in services , investment and Economic cooperation", he told a press conference here at a local hotel today.
New EU market access offer unacceptable - region’s sugar group
30-May-2007
The Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) is calling for a substantial improvement in the current access of sugar to the European Union (EU) market.
Business Chambers: We’ll Open Books When Asked
30-May-2007
Representatives from Costa Rican business chambers said yesterday that they’re happy to publish information on campaign donations for the upcoming free-trade referendum - but only if the Supreme Elections Tribunal (TSE) asks them to do so.
Chrysler opposes proposed FTA with South Korea
30-May-2007
American automotive giant Chrysler Group expressed opposition Tuesday to a proposed South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA), saying the accord fails to motivate the Asian nation enough to open its market to American-made cars.
Join FTA, Comesa Urges Member States
30-May-2007
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa has urged member states to join the Free Trade Area before the launch of the Customs Union in December to enable the region to fully achieve trade and customs growth.
Political parties oppose renegotiation of S. Korea-U.S. FTA
30-May-2007
South Korea’s political parties said Wednesday that renegotiating a recent trade deal with the United States is unacceptable.
EU trade with Latin America sets new record
30-May-2007 Latin Business Chronicle
European trade with Latin America will grow as a result of growing interest among companies on each side of the Atlantic, as will European investment in the region, which is already growing significantly. And while free trade agreements with Central America and the Andean Community will help boost EU trade with Latin America, the big prize is Mercosur.
India, Brazil aim to strengthen bonds
29-May-2007
One of the major outcomes of the visit of the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s visit a couple of years ago (2004) was the signing of a market access treaty that established tariff preferences between India and the countries of Mercosur (Southern Common Market), made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Brazil’s Mercosur partners sent representatives as part of Lula’s retinue.
EPAs could be signed by December
29-May-2007
Despite the unpreparedness of West African governments to negotiate the Economic Partnership Agreements with the European Union, there are clear indications that the EPAs will be signed by the December 31, 2007 deadline, Tetteh Hormeku, Head of Programmes at Third World Network, has said.
‘Speed up FTA talks with GCC countries’
29-May-2007
Serious differences surfaced between commerce minister Kamal Nath and Oman commerce minister Maqbool Ali Sultan on Tuesday over the free trade agreement (FTA) between India and GCC countries.