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EU to start FTA talks with Ukraine
The European Union (EU) will start free trade area (FTA) negotiations with Ukraine hopefully in early 2007, said the European Commission on Wednesday.
Up from Down Under
As Egypt continues to grow at a near-unprecedented rate, Australia is looking to claim its share of the most vibrant and diverse economy in the region. Relations between the two countries go back decades, but Australian trade officials admit ties still need work as they eye opportunities in Egypt’s strategic location, large local market and lucrative free-trade agreements (FTAs) - including the EU-Egypt Association Agreement - that open the door to even larger markets.
Ukraine president urges setting up free trade zone with Hungary
Ukraine’s President, Viktor Yushchenko has called for the creation of a free trade zone between his country and Hungary. Simultaneously, the country is working to establish a free trade zone with the EU and sign an associated membership agreement as early as in 2007.
Oxus Gold seeks arbitration order to protect Kyrgyz investments
Mining company Oxus Gold PLC said it is seeking an arbitration order to protect its investments in Kyrgyzstan, following the government-sponsored seizure of premises owned by Talas Gold Mining Co, Oxus’ joint venture company at Jerooy. Oxus said that representatives of Jerooyaltyn, a recently created joint venture between Kyrgyzaltyn and Global G.o.l.d, and local police forcibly took possession of the building on Thursday in direct contravention of the UK-Kyrgyz Bilateral Investment Treaty and Kyrgyz law.
Greater integration in need
The center of gravity of the world economy was shifting to South Asia but opportunities of this regional dynamism could only be harnessed if the region integrated.
US Senate approves US-Uruguay bilateral investment treaty
The US-Uruguay Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) will benefit the economies of both countries, is an important step toward closer economic cooperation between the two nations and reflects the United States’ commitment to explore and expand economic opportunities in the Western Hemisphere, say senior U.S. officials.
Trade pacts: Why it’s a big deal
Does a trade agreement between India, Brazil and South Africa make economic sense? They are geographically apart, are all labour-abundant developing countries without clear gains from trade, and it’s unclear the agreement will result in trade creation and increased welfare.
Japan looks to play leading role in regional trade
Amid growing concern that Japan could be left behind by the proliferation of regional trade agreements, the government recently floated a proposal for what it describes as a comprehensive economic partnership for East Asia.
IBSA business leaders debate ways to deepen relations
Indian, Brazilian, and South African business leaders have identified key issues that have to be addressed to allow the more rapid development of broader and deeper economic relations between the three countries.
China competition ’hurts manufacturers’
Australia’s manufacturers are feeling the pinch from China, booking losses of close to $1 billion as they try to compete with the emerging economic giant, a new report said.
IBSA experiment will benefit all the members, says Singh
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday spoke strongly in favour of the newly emerging trilateral co-operation between India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA), saying all three countries stand to benefit from it in working for their energy security, creating synergies in trade and technology and in enhanced transport connectivity.
Time for IBSA to shine in world trade, says Mbeki
President Thabo Mbeki says IBSA’s (India-Brazil-South Africa’s) time has arrived to make a mark on world trade. He was addressing the IBSA summit in Brazil and called on developing nations to form strong partnerships and strategic alliances in the wake of the recent collapse of the Doha round of trade talks.
Top S.K. trade negotiator sees deal by March
South Korea’s top trade negotiator Kim Jong-hoon said that there should be a "tangible" agreement by March next year in the ongoing trade negotiations with the United States.
Beijing condemns protectionism
China has voiced its concern over increasing trade protectionism by its counterparts, which it sees as the main threat to its competitiveness in the world market.
The ’free trade’ explosion
With the World Trade talks in limbo, the focus remains on aggressively pushing on the bilateral front. What could not be achieved through a multilateral trade regime, is now being pursued by the US through bilateral and regional deals. Devinder Sharma connects the dots.
Japan to prepare safeguard against imports from Philippines
Japan’s Ministry of Finance said Wednesday that it plans to amend customs-related laws and ordinances to enable Japan to invoke emergency restrictions on imports from the Philippines.
Labor leader explains anti-FTA stance
Interview with the president of AFL-CIO, John Sweeney, on the US-Korea FTA.
Joint declaration of first IBSA Summit
The Prime Minister of India, H.E. Manmohan Singh, the President of Brazil, H.E. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and the President of South Africa, H.E. Thabo Mbeki, expressed their full support and commitment to the expeditious establishment of the Working Group to focus on the modalities for the envisaged India-Mercosur-SACU Trilateral Free Trade Agreement (T-FTA).
KMU sees more retrenchment with new RP-Japan trade pact
The militant Filipino labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said it fears more retrenchments and lower wages with the impending liberalization of the country’s automotive and steel sectors under the recently signed Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
Fiction and fact: an IBSA pact
IBSA will be a powerful bloc in south-south cooperation with echoes of ‘non-alignment’ in earlier times but from the economic point of view, IBSA is a little fictitious” was Union minister of state for commerce Jairam Ramesh’s reported take on this regional formation that includes India-Brazil-South Africa just ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Brazil and Cuba to attend an IBSA and NAM summit.