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EU, Mexico continue talks to modernize FTA
14-Feb-2018 Xinhua
Negotiators from the EU and Mexico have begun the ninth round of talks to modernize their free-trade agreement.
Joint Indonesia-Singapore initiatives progressing well, says Retno
14-Feb-2018 The Straits Times
It includes inroads on a bilateral investment treaty to strengthen economic cooperation.
Sartaj stresses early conclusion of FTA with Turkey
14-Feb-2018 Urdu Point
Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Sartaj Aziz stressed the need for early conclusion of Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and Turkey to help boosting bilateral trade.
Singapore RCEP meeting crucial, says Mustapa
14-Feb-2018 Borneo Post
Malaysia’s Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, said he was confident the meeting, which would be held in Singapore, would serve as a platform to bridge the gap between Asean and other countries.
Tea growers demanded renegotiation of ASEAN– India FTA agreement
14-Feb-2018 The Economic Times
Large portion of Indian tea sector is skeptical about outcome of free trade agreement of India with ASEAN countries. After the agreement comes into full effect, duty cut in import of the green beverage is feared to cause severe adverse impact on Indian tea production sector.
A detailed look at the new, decidedly not-so-progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership
13-Feb-2018 Behind The Numbers
Despite its Orwellian title, the CPTPP could also spell the demise of the Trudeau government’s much-hyped progressive trade agenda.
Comprehensive free trade deal is preferred option to avoid ’hard border’
13-Feb-2018 Independent.ie
December’s deal to avoid a hard border stands and the preferred option to secure that is through a comprehensive free trade deal, the Prime Minister has said.
‘Big boys’ causing delays in conclusion of RCEP
13-Feb-2018 Business Mirror
The Philippines is demanding its fellow negotiating-countries in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to seriously commit to a speedy conclusion of their trade deal, as the latest round of talks still failed to progress beyond trade in goods modalities.
EU moves to remove barriers to data flows in trade deals
13-Feb-2018 Reuters
The European Union will seek to break down barriers to the flow of data between businesses in future trade deals, as it tries to promote a more digital economy while also protecting privacy.
Golf lawsuit threatens to shut down Friends of the Earth Croatia
13-Feb-2018 Friends of the Earth Europe
In September 2017, the investor filed a €500 million ISDS claim against the Republic of Croatia at an arbitration tribunal because the "state [had taken] away their development licences"
Myanmar road corridors threaten land and livelihoods
13-Feb-2018 China Dialogue
Up to half of Myanmar’s population live in areas that could suffer environmental damage from two giant highways unless the ecological risks are considered, according to a new report from the World Wildlife Fund. The planned roads will form part of China’s continent-crossing network of overseas infrastructure known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Over come RCEP, bring Apple under special category product: Rakesh Singha to Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, India
13-Feb-2018 WebIndia 123
CPI(M) member of Assembly Rakesh Singha on Monday urged the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur that he should take up the matter with the Union Government so that Himachali Apple could be brought under Special Category product to over come duty free import of apple to Indian markets.
Extraordinary summit to be held on Africa’s CFTA this March
12-Feb-2018 SUNS
An extraordinary summit of the African Union is scheduled to be held in Kigali, Rwanda on 21 March 2018 to consider and sign the Framework Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA).
Sri Lanka seeks deeper ties, free trade agreement with China
12-Feb-2018 Modern Diplomacy
Sri Lanka wants a longer-time period to negotiate a free trade agreement with China as it is concerned about the economic impact of a rushed deal on their small country, the Sri Lankan ambassador said.
Australia, Peru sign free trade agreement
12-Feb-2018 Xinhua
Under the deal, tariffs on 99 percent of Australian goods exported to Peru will be eliminated within five years.
US-Malaysia FTA unlikely until CPTPP sealed
12-Feb-2018 Malaysian Reserve
Unlikely that a US-Malaysia FTA will transpire anytime soon, says American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce
EU-Mercosur trade talks close with key gaps remaining
12-Feb-2018 Reuters
Negotiators for the European Union and Latin American bloc Mercosur have concluded two weeks of talks in Brussels on a free trade deal with no clear breakthrough and no formal offers made.
South Korea to seek investor protection measures in FTA talks with China
12-Feb-2018 Yonhap News Agency
South Korea’s trade ministry said Monday it will seek ways to better protect investor rights from arbitrary regulations when holding talks with China to expand the scope of the two countries’ free trade agreement (FTA) to the service and investment sector.
Auto industry skeptical of Canadian TPP side deal on vehicles with Japan
12-Feb-2018 Global News
Auto workers and manufacturers are rejecting assertions by Canada’s trade minister that the country won major access for them into the highly protected Japanese market in the recently rebooted Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Tokyo’s drift towards intellectual property crusader
12-Feb-2018 East Asia Forum
Japan’s role in RCEP negotiations appears to have been shaped by its participation in the TPP. Japan is now championing for expanded intellectual property right provisions which may block access to affordable medicines