3-Apr-2004
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, UN Human Rights Commission, 60th session
The Special Rapporteur recommends that States be cautious about enacting “TRIPS plus” legislation without first understanding the impact of such legislation on the protection of human rights, including the right to health. Equally, wealthy countries should not pressure a developing country to implement “TRIPS plus” legislation, unless reliable evidence confirms that such legislation will enhance enjoyment of the right to health in the developing country.
2-Apr-2004
SADC appoints Botswana to co-ordinate EPA
SADC has appointed Botswana to co-ordinate the first phase of negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union.
2-Apr-2004
Over 15 FTAs to be concluded worldwide in 2004
World nations are expected to conclude at least 15 FTAs and to initiate negotiations for more than 10 new FTAs in 2004, the Trade Research Institute (TRI) of Korea International Trade Association (KITA) projected. The TRI also predicted FTA negotiations would be active in American and Asian regions as in 2003.
2-Apr-2004
Asia led new FTAs concluded in 2003
Amid the delay in DDA [Doha Development Agenda] negotiations, in 2003 FTA movement by major nations, in particular was very brisk. As for newly concluded FTAs in 2003, Asia let the world with seven agreements, followed by America region with six. Meanwhile, FTAs were under negotiation in America (17), Asia (12), Europe (12) and Oceania (4).
30-Mar-2004
U.S.-Taiwan Free Trade Agreement Would Have Limited Impact
A report released October 21 by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) concludes that a free trade arrangement between the United States and Taiwan would likely have a "very small" impact on the overall U.S. economy, but trade flows for certain trade sectors would probably "increase substantially."
30-Mar-2004
Trade Compliance Center
29-Mar-2004
http://www.manilatimes.net/national...
The option of forging separate bilateral free-trade agreements (FTAs) with various countries could put the Philippines at a tighter disadvantage than it presently is under the World Trade Organization (WTO), government negotiators and economic experts admitted.
