Talking about bank secrecy , we all know that most "bank secrecy countries" are losing the battle against the European Union and the United States of America. For this purpose it’s currently better to look around in Asia. More people discover, among others, the Philippines as one of the few countries with a solid bank secrecy law.
All comments
Mark Diks:
4-May-2008
4-May-2008
4-May-2008
What a jerk!!
Doesn’t he Korean?
Wanna kill all of them?
I don’t get it and will never get it!
How about people who study abord’re gonna feel about their family???
How sad!!
I never think that this thing’s gonna happen...
So dissappointed......
TOM:
3-May-2008
3-May-2008
CAFTA is required to help Costa Rica both economically and financially since the country’s technology is far beyond the US. Therefore the country really needs to welcome US industries and many supports from US goverment. Most of tourists who came to this country are very happy since this is a great place for many things.
3-May-2008
We congratulate the fisherfolk group Pamalakaya and the No Deal Jpepa Movement for spearheading the campaign against Jpepa. The government was forced to defer the ratification of the agreement because of the active involvement of these groups.
These two groups won their fight against Jpepa in the first round. We hope they could finally nail down this agreement and have it buried six feet under. More power to Pamalakaya fisherfolk and No Deal
Anonym:
2-May-2008
2-May-2008
http://www.abareconomics.com/publications_html/livestock/livestock_07/Beef07.pdf
http://www.ers.usda.gov/news/BSECoverage.htm
http://intlagmktg.tamu.edu/10beefwto.pdf
U.S. $2.1 Billion total import (1999)
30% of the import from Australia ($0.63 Billion)
Total U.S. beef consumption (2002) $27.9 Billion
about 2.3% of US beef consumption is from Australia.(around 1999-2002)
2-May-2008
Simple, because the US media is owned and controlled. Americans are not stupid, they simply are misinformed and being told only half the story. That is why they don’t care about world events and cannot even tell you why we are at war and who the enemy is.
maremoto:
2-May-2008
2-May-2008
Bien dicho, pero y China, Chile, Japon, Israel, Singapur, la Union Europe etc que tambien tienen tratados de libre comercion con los EU? A ellos les ha servido ese comercio para generar progreso a sus naciones
Entonces ?
Ji314:
2-May-2008
2-May-2008
I agree on that comment, abt not many replies being displayed here, but right now, as I’m typing this msg, online community in Korea is firing up with signing up for petition for ban on U.S beef imports as well as impeachment of the president.
There will also be demonstration around Cheonggye stream today, near the city hall at 7-10 pm, displaying that we, the citizens of Korea, are strongly against this ignorant decision of the president.
I was hoping to obtain more statistical informations on this matter on the websites of U.S but some of the articles have been moved. Can anyone help me to gain more information abt this?
I am also informed that usage of any part of cow(including bones)were banned in making of pet food in the U.S.
Yet from May 1st Korea is expected to accept the import of U.S beef including the bones. which is soon to be released to the public anytime soon now.
I was also curious about the import of Australian beef in the U.S.
Is it true that consuption of Australian beef in the U.S is the largest number than any other countries?
Exactly what is the percentage of the consumtion of Australian beef in comparison to U.S beef
in the U.S?
please help me to understand more on these facts. any information I ask you, please reply to this.
Our lives and our health of every single person in this country may be at a great risk!!
29-Apr-2008
I’m simply wondering why I cannot see any one comment about korean’s boiled public opinion that have been showing fearfulness about importing mad cow, which is blowed up and over the boundary after the aggreement ,
Aila:
29-Apr-2008
29-Apr-2008
For poultry, the TRQ will provide an in-quota rate of 8.5 percent, against an MFN applied rate of 11.9 percent.
For beverages, there will be immediate tariff elimination for coffee, beer and fermented drinks made from aratiles, bignay, calamansi, coconut, dalandan, guava and marang, among others.
Most of this food items are new in the Japanese market and will require extensive marketing efforts. At the same time, product improvement and research and development have to be undertaken to make these foods acceptable to the Japanese consumer.
Gradual tariff eliminations toward zero will be implemented in products like frozen yellow fin tuna, canned tuna, fresh bananas, dried pineapples and fruits containing sugar.
Not just trade pact
JPEPA is unique in that it is not only a trade agreement. It is a framework for cooperation between Japan and the Philippines that includes assistance in human resources development, research and development, and technology development and transfer.
Through JPEPA, the farm sector can attain higher levels of production not only for exports but for our domestic needs-with Japanese technical assistance.
The agreement has sufficient provisions that will protect the environment and prevent any illegal trade in toxic waste. There are very stringent import controls and regulations on trade in hazardous waste. A careful reading of the agreement will show that it does not contain any provision explicitly allowing trade or liberalized entry of regulated or banned products in both countries.
Sustainable cooperation
The Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS) says the agreement is based on sustainable and environmental cooperation. It binds the countries to the general principles of efficient use of energy, proper management of the environment and sustainable development, and the need to cooperate in the field of energy and environment.
Trade liberalization under JPEPA allows special exceptions for environmental protection. These articles state: “Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to limit the authority of a party to take measures it considers appropriate, for protecting health, safety or the environment or prevention of deceptive practices.”
The bottom line is that JPEPA has sufficient provisions to protect the environment and prevent any illegal trade that may arise from the zero tariff imposed on hazardous and toxic waste. The PIDS notes that trade liberalization under JPEPA does not mean, or imply, that the ability of any of the two countries to take measures to control trade in hazardous and toxic waste or, more generally, to protect the environment is at issue.
Similar fears about the environment and health had been aired by some people in at least two Asian countries-Singapore and Malaysia-when they forged similar agreements with Japan.
In the economic partnership agreements signed by Japan with the two Southeast Asian countries, tariffs on ash, residues, waste pharmaceuticals, municipal waste, sewage sludge, clinical waste and other waste products have also been eliminated.
There have been no adverse effects on the environment of Singapore and Malaysia since these agreements took effect.
Services
Services account for about 70 percent of Japan’s economy. This sector is the most difficult for foreign companies to penetrate. Japan, for the first time, is opening this market through JPEPA to Filipino engineers, IT specialists and health workers.
Filipino technicians and professionals will be able to get outsourced jobs and contracts in engineering design, interior design, architectural services, motion picture production, particularly animation, to mention only a few.
The tourism market comprises not only hotel and restaurant services but also air transport services, computer reservation systems including call centers and the repair, maintenance, and servicing of airplanes. Most of these jobs and contracts will be outsourced to Filipino workers and companies.
Japan’s population is aging. It will need health workers, particularly nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists and institutional and home-based caregivers. JPEPA will give Filipino professionals in these fields preferential and nondiscriminatory access to these occupations.
The immediate needs of Japan are in the medical and health-care fields. The Japanese Department of Labor estimates that by 2010-three short years hence-Japan will need about 7.5 million health professionals. Japan’s elderly population now account for 20 percent of its total population. This is expected to rise to 29 percent of the total by 2025.
The opportunities for well-paid jobs for Filipino health workers, is the most immediate benefit from JPEPA. Others will follow as the agreement is implemented.
Retirement communities
But over time this initial benefit can be expanded to retirement communities in both Japan and the Philippines, nursing homes that are owned by Filipino health workers, and medical tourism catering to Japanese clients.
The sea-borne trade of Japan is expected to increase. Hence, Japan will be needing service personnel for its cargo ships. These jobs will be available to Filipinos.
Telecommunications is the fastest growing sector in the Philippines. We have produced a well-trained work force that can now find jobs in Japan’s ICT-based industries and to service the needs of OFWs living and working in Japan.
JPEPA is an agreement anchored on close cooperation. Besides the trade gains and opportunities, JPEPA seeks to provide a more tangible framework of sustainable growth for industries like energy. Like Japan, the Philippines is heavily dependent on imports for fuel supply. Yet Japan stands today as an example of an economy weaned on the policy of clean, affordable energy. It has invested heavily in developing alternative sources of power such as solar and wind.
The Philippines continues to make inroads in the development of alternative energy sources. JPEPA will hasten this drive for clean, affordable energy. At the end of the day, the Philippines seeks to have an economy driven by affordable power, a regime which will benefit the consumers who will enjoy lower prices of goods. It will redound to the benefit of households as well since the cost of power generation will go down, bringing the cost of electricity with it.
Aila:
29-Apr-2008
29-Apr-2008
For poultry, the TRQ will provide an in-quota rate of 8.5 percent, against an MFN applied rate of 11.9 percent.
For beverages, there will be immediate tariff elimination for coffee, beer and fermented drinks made from aratiles, bignay, calamansi, coconut, dalandan, guava and marang, among others.
Most of this food items are new in the Japanese market and will require extensive marketing efforts. At the same time, product improvement and research and development have to be undertaken to make these foods acceptable to the Japanese consumer.
Gradual tariff eliminations toward zero will be implemented in products like frozen yellow fin tuna, canned tuna, fresh bananas, dried pineapples and fruits containing sugar.
Not just trade pact
JPEPA is unique in that it is not only a trade agreement. It is a framework for cooperation between Japan and the Philippines that includes assistance in human resources development, research and development, and technology development and transfer.
Through JPEPA, the farm sector can attain higher levels of production not only for exports but for our domestic needs-with Japanese technical assistance.
The agreement has sufficient provisions that will protect the environment and prevent any illegal trade in toxic waste. There are very stringent import controls and regulations on trade in hazardous waste. A careful reading of the agreement will show that it does not contain any provision explicitly allowing trade or liberalized entry of regulated or banned products in both countries.
Sustainable cooperation
The Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS) says the agreement is based on sustainable and environmental cooperation. It binds the countries to the general principles of efficient use of energy, proper management of the environment and sustainable development, and the need to cooperate in the field of energy and environment.
Trade liberalization under JPEPA allows special exceptions for environmental protection. These articles state: “Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to limit the authority of a party to take measures it considers appropriate, for protecting health, safety or the environment or prevention of deceptive practices.”
The bottom line is that JPEPA has sufficient provisions to protect the environment and prevent any illegal trade that may arise from the zero tariff imposed on hazardous and toxic waste. The PIDS notes that trade liberalization under JPEPA does not mean, or imply, that the ability of any of the two countries to take measures to control trade in hazardous and toxic waste or, more generally, to protect the environment is at issue.
Similar fears about the environment and health had been aired by some people in at least two Asian countries-Singapore and Malaysia-when they forged similar agreements with Japan.
In the economic partnership agreements signed by Japan with the two Southeast Asian countries, tariffs on ash, residues, waste pharmaceuticals, municipal waste, sewage sludge, clinical waste and other waste products have also been eliminated.
There have been no adverse effects on the environment of Singapore and Malaysia since these agreements took effect.
Services
Services account for about 70 percent of Japan’s economy. This sector is the most difficult for foreign companies to penetrate. Japan, for the first time, is opening this market through JPEPA to Filipino engineers, IT specialists and health workers.
Filipino technicians and professionals will be able to get outsourced jobs and contracts in engineering design, interior design, architectural services, motion picture production, particularly animation, to mention only a few.
The tourism market comprises not only hotel and restaurant services but also air transport services, computer reservation systems including call centers and the repair, maintenance, and servicing of airplanes. Most of these jobs and contracts will be outsourced to Filipino workers and companies.
Japan’s population is aging. It will need health workers, particularly nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists and institutional and home-based caregivers. JPEPA will give Filipino professionals in these fields preferential and nondiscriminatory access to these occupations.
The immediate needs of Japan are in the medical and health-care fields. The Japanese Department of Labor estimates that by 2010-three short years hence-Japan will need about 7.5 million health professionals. Japan’s elderly population now account for 20 percent of its total population. This is expected to rise to 29 percent of the total by 2025.
The opportunities for well-paid jobs for Filipino health workers, is the most immediate benefit from JPEPA. Others will follow as the agreement is implemented.
Retirement communities
But over time this initial benefit can be expanded to retirement communities in both Japan and the Philippines, nursing homes that are owned by Filipino health workers, and medical tourism catering to Japanese clients.
The sea-borne trade of Japan is expected to increase. Hence, Japan will be needing service personnel for its cargo ships. These jobs will be available to Filipinos.
Telecommunications is the fastest growing sector in the Philippines. We have produced a well-trained work force that can now find jobs in Japan’s ICT-based industries and to service the needs of OFWs living and working in Japan.
JPEPA is an agreement anchored on close cooperation. Besides the trade gains and opportunities, JPEPA seeks to provide a more tangible framework of sustainable growth for industries like energy. Like Japan, the Philippines is heavily dependent on imports for fuel supply. Yet Japan stands today as an example of an economy weaned on the policy of clean, affordable energy. It has invested heavily in developing alternative sources of power such as solar and wind.
The Philippines continues to make inroads in the development of alternative energy sources. JPEPA will hasten this drive for clean, affordable energy. At the end of the day, the Philippines seeks to have an economy driven by affordable power, a regime which will benefit the consumers who will enjoy lower prices of goods. It will redound to the benefit of households as well since the cost of power generation will go down, bringing the cost of electricity with it.
Alfredo Malespín:
29-Apr-2008
29-Apr-2008
Me pregunto, podra alguien de alguna forma, detener este proceso encarrerado del AdA?
Tengo mi reservas, en Costa Rica luchamos legitimamente con todos los pauperrimos recursos que un pueblo amante y defensor de la democracia, puede usar para oponerse a la maquinaria capitalista. Los llevamos a la expresión mas democratica que teniamos, como lo fue el referendum. Uno a uno, pusimos muestra marca simbolica de nuestra posición contraria a un documento, que mas parecia nuestra sentencia de muerte como pueblo soberano, que un tratado de libre comercio.
La democracia ha sido tomada por asalto, ni Oxfam ni nadie, podra influir en las fuentes de poder que el neoliberalismo ha poseido. En Europa no son ciegos ni tarados, como para no darse cuenta de las distancias que muestran las deventajas de Centro América. Pero aun asi, mueven toda su maquinaria para cumplir con sus plazos sin importar la voluntad de los pueblos.
Hoy los mejicanos quieren safarse el collar que les impusieron hace catorce años los imperialistas, y por mas que bramen, brinquen y lo que quieran no van a ceder en nada que a ellos no les convenga.
Si no reaccionamos, pronto no tendremos ni la minima fuerza para quitarnos la bota del cuello. Nos estan presionando, despues que no se quejen.
25-Apr-2008
The multinational corporations (agribusiness and Big Pharma) are driving the small farmers out of business. They buy up the land and run the countries into poverty and starvation while they accumulation millions and billions of dollars. This is a matter of justice and must not be allowed to continue.
Javier:
24-Apr-2008
24-Apr-2008
son una bola de ignorantes aquellos que quieren renegociar el tratado de libre comercio, renegociar el TLC significa cerrarlo, acabar el tratado comercial del cual Mexico ha sido ampliamente beneficiado, me da tristeza y asco la gente estupida y ciega que no quiere ver... o mas bien que se ciega a la realidad. Bien dicen que "no hay peor ciego que el que no quiere ver". Hagan lo que hagan el TLC nunca sera renegociado, Mexico y Canada se oponen a esto.
Alfred Matcht:
23-Apr-2008
23-Apr-2008
http://tunisie-harakati.mylivepage.com
Je serai d’avis à ce que l’on annule toute coopération avec les nations qui refusent de respecter les conventions des droits de l’homme. Je pense plus particulièrement à des pays comme la Chine, la Tunisie, la Corée du Nord.....
Le choc de l’affaire de Sameh Harakati en Tunisie va laisser des traces dans l’histoire judiciaire de ce pays. Sur plusieurs forum lié à la Tunisie, on ne parle plus que de cette affaire. Il est clair que je n’avais pas du tout cette image de la Tunisie avant de faire connaissance de la tragédie de Sameh Harakati. J’en suis encore troublé en me disant qu’il n’y a vraiment pas de justice là bas et que donc je n’irai pas en vacance afin d’éviter de tenter le diable.
Imam Suharto:
23-Apr-2008
23-Apr-2008
RI-Japan economic Pact will likely to be effective in July : Diplomat. Tony Hotland and Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post 12 April 2008.
ROKEFELER:
22-Apr-2008
22-Apr-2008
SIENDO ASI ,EL "TLC",ES LA MAS ABERRANNTE SITUACIÒN DE ATROPEYO AL QUE NOS TIENE SOMETIDOS LA CLASE DIRIGENTE ,BURGUESA Y DICTATORIAL DEL ESTADO COLOMBIANO DURANTE TODA LA HISTORIA DE NUESTRO PAIS;Y NO SOLAMENTE DESDE 1990 CON LA "APERTURA ECONÒMICA" SI NO DESDE QUE NUESTRA SOCIEDAD DEJO DE SERLO Y PASO A SER "SUCIEDAD" DE LOS DOMINANTES A LOS DOMINADOS Ò SUBYUGADOS.
QUIZAS DERRROTANDO A TODOS ESTOS OPULENTOS GOBIERNOS QUE CIEN AÑOS ATRAS Ò QUIZAS MAS HAN SEMBRADO SU RÈGIMEN DEL TERROR Y APETITOS DESMEDIDOS DE PODER Y RIQUEWZA SIN LIMITES,PODAMOS MODIFICAR LAS ESTRUCTURAS SOCIALES DE HOY.
Jean Marc AKA-BESSOUAN, Abidjan, COTE D’IVOIRE.:
22-Apr-2008
22-Apr-2008
Je pense sincerement que l’auteur de cet article devrait legitimement representer les interets africains a l’organisation Mondiale du Commerce, ou meme dans les institutions de Bretton Woods (Banque mondiale, FMI etc..), sinon meme a l’ONU. Helas pour l’Afrique, on met toujours des vauriens aux postes de responsabilites et on s’etonne apres que les choses aillent mal.
Herve KOUMBA, Bangui, RCA:
22-Apr-2008
22-Apr-2008
Cet article est bien ecrit, et pertinent. Il est surtout instructif et informatif. Il pose tous les problemes africains de facon simple, accessible et pourvoie des pistes de solutions qui donnent vraiment a reflechir. L’auteur est a feliciter.
5-May-2008
that’s what they call ’stupid’.