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RCEP and affordable medicines: Civil society reaches out to Minister of Commerce Suresh Prabhu
12-Nov-2018 Don’t trade our lives away
Civil society organisations, patient groups and health activists have been concerned about intellectual property provisions being discussed in RCEP which undermine access to medicines and affordable treatment for patients
RCEP members aim for complete deal in 2019: draft statement
9-Nov-2018 Nikkei Asian Review
Member countries of the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership free-trade framework are aiming to conclude the deal in 2019, according to a draft joint statement.
Canada at odds with US changes to text of trade deal: source
9-Nov-2018 Reuters
Canada is pushing back against US attempts to change the text of their September trade pact and the issue may have to be referred to ministers to settle.
Namibia in advanced stage of finalising EPA implementation plan
9-Nov-2018 Xinhua
Namibia’s Presidential Advisor for Private Sector said that Namibia is at an advanced stage of finalising the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) implementation plan and has begun implementing the plan’s crucial aspects.
US, Mexico, Canada ministers to sign trade pact Nov. 30, official says
9-Nov-2018 Reuters
The deal will be signed on Nov. 30 in Buenos Aires, Argentina during the G20.
In Beijing, Ukraine and China begin talks on free trade agreement
9-Nov-2018 Kyiv Post
Ukrainian and Chinese officials began preliminary talks on a possible, future Ukraine-China free trade agreement.
Taiwan envoy to ask Japan to back island’s bid for TPP membership
9-Nov-2018 Nikkei Asian Review
Taiwan plans to officially ask Japan to endorse its membership in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Slovakia does not have to compensate the Union private health insurer
9-Nov-2018 Slovak Spectator
The German Supreme Court dismissed the original arbitration decision against Slovakia concerning the ban on health-insurance companies’ profits.
Govt to ratify seven trade agreements without House approval
9-Nov-2018 Jakarta Post
The government has decided to ratify seven international trade agreements without the approval of the House of Representatives.
Indonesia-EFTA CEPA TRIPS-plus, threat for access to medicines and the right to health of millions of people in Indonesia
8-Nov-2018 IGJ
In many countries, the implementation of the TRIPS-plus measures has significantly increased the cost of medicines.
Why we are worried over African Free Trade Agreement — Dangote, MAN, LCCI
8-Nov-2018 Vanguard
Business groups have supported the Nigerian Federal Government’s delay in signing the African Continental Free Trade Area, stressing that adequate measure should be put in place to prevent dumping of goods into Nigeria and Africa countries in general.
Drugs costs impact health
8-Nov-2018 The Guardian.pe.ca
Canada’s negotiators extended data protection on biologics without knowing impact on prices.
Indonesia to ratify Pakistan trade deal to protect palm oil exports
8-Nov-2018 Reuters
The Indonesian government will push ahead and ratify a trade deal with Pakistan to protect $1.5 billion in annual palm oil exports to the South Asia nation, a cabinet minister said.
Special economic zones: engines of development or sites of exploitation?
8-Nov-2018 IIED
Many SEZs have been associated with compressions of land, labour and human rights. Investment treaties protect investments against adverse regulatory change, including in SEZs. To date, investors have brought at least 20 arbitrations to challenge diverse aspects of SEZ regimes.
UPOV 91 and trade agreements: Compromising farmers’ right to save and sell seeds
7-Nov-2018 Both Ends
Increased effort to include references to UPOV 91 in EU trade agreements impose intellectual property rights on seeds, which can restrict the farmers’ right to save and re-use seeds and undermine local seed systems
Malaysia still studying CPTPP, says Tun M
7-Nov-2018 The Edge Markets
Malaysia is still studying the implications and potential impacts of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) before deciding to ratify the free trade agreement, said the Prime Minister
New Zealand to update trade agreement
7-Nov-2018 Shine
The agreement should include e-commerce and new business formats. China is also a strategic market for Fonterra, which exports 95 percent of its products.
Australia Indonesia free trade deal to be signed next week
7-Nov-2018 Canberra Times
The two countries plan to ink the agreement on November 14, the second day of the ASEAN summit in Singapore.
Trade Ministry prepares to impose tariffs on Turkish goods
6-Nov-2018 Jordan Times
Jordan-Turkey free trade agreement’s termination comes after months of failed negotiations.
China and Singapore have concluded talks on upgrade of FTA: MTI
6-Nov-2018 The Straits Times
Both countries are working towards the signing of the upgrade protocol later this year, Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry said.