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Indo-Thai FTA unlikely to take off this year
It seems unlikely that India and Thailand would graduate to a full-fledged free trade agreement (FTA) this year despite the successful implementation of the early harvest programme. The political turmoil in Thailand leading to elections in mid-October coupled with the uncertainty in FTA talks between India and Asean has pushed the India-Thai FTA talks to the backburner.
Salem outlines measures to protect workers’ rights in QIZs - Jordan
Jordan’s Minister of Labour Bassem Salem on Sunday met with US Ambassador David Hale and delegates of the Office of the US Trade Representative to outline efforts to safeguard workers’ rights in the country’s Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZ).
Canberra’s cold feet risk lukewarm FTA
How is the debate inside cabinet about what should be put on the table for the free trade agreement with China and what should be kept in the cupboard, playing in Beijing’s secretive pagodas of power?
Singapore, SA closer to Free Trade Agreement
The first step has been taken to establish a Free Trade Agreement between Singapore and South Africa.
Zimbabwe: Government move on Bippas rekindles hope
Government has finished Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (Bippas) negotiations with France, Italy and Indonesia, a move analysts say gives a glimmer of hope to other countries whose nationals lost their agro-ventures during the land reform programme.
Lost in statistics
The figures show Thais are winning with free trade - yet many of the nation’s small farmers, struggling just to scrape by, are looking to lessons learned around the world.
Partial trade deal on the table with China
The GCC and China seem more determined than ever to pursue the goal of attaining a free trade agreement (FTA) in the not-too-distant future.
Asean Sec Gen: Individual FTAs will not halt Asean economic progress
Individual Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed or being negotiated by Asean member countries will not affect the grouping’s unity or halt its economic progress, Asean Secretary General, Ong Keng Yong said.
Export leader bats for US retention of GSP treatment of RP goods
Philippine trade negotiators must right away ask the US not to include the Philippines in the list of 13 developing countries slated to lose their General System of Preferences (GSP) so as not to disrupt the momentum of exports to the country’s top market.
US welcomes agreement on drug pricing with Korea, denies it was concession
The United States welcomed Friday an agreement reached with South Korea on a pharmaceutical pricing system that had impeded bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) talks but denied it was a concession on its part.
Taiwan Quick Take: Honduran president to visit
Honduran President Manuel Zelaya is expected to visit Taiwan and sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with President Chen Shui-bian in October, Taiwan officials stationed in the Central American country said yesterday.
PM defends FTA agreements
Defending himself and his government against criticisms of free trade area (FTA) agreements Thailand negotiated with foreign countries, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Saturday said that the FTAs had helped boost trade and increase the country’s exports.
US for early signing of BIT with Pakistan
The Bush administration has indicated its willingness to revise America’s investment procedures and to remove some of the harsh conditions to facilitate the signing of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with Pakistan by September, 2006.
Malaysian youth movement calls for suspension of Malaysia-US FTA negotiations in support Lebanon
The Youth Movement at Malaysia’s ruling National Party have called for suspension of Malaysia US free trade negotiations for the White House’s objection to ceasefire calls in Lebanon and urged immediate trial of Israel before the ICJ for its brutal aggressions against the Lebanese and Palestinians.
Uruguay FM against FTA with US
Uruguayan Foreign Minister Reinaldo Gargano ratified Friday his rejection of signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US.
Where economics meets religious fundamentalism
Faith-based fundamentalism is not the exclusive domain of terrorists. Some fundamentalists operate in the legitimate, nonviolent world of American politics where they wear suits, appear on television and are venerated as geniuses.
Gains seen in US-South Korea trade talks
South Korea and the United States reported an apparent breakthrough in free-trade talks Friday after bickering over pharmaceuticals cut short negotiations last month.
US accepts South Korea’s new drug-pricing policy
The United States has accepted South Korea’s new drug-pricing measure aimed at offering quality medicine at cheaper prices, brightening the future of the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on pharmaceutical issues, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare yesterday.
Seoul, Washington to hold FTA negotiations in third country
Seoul and Washington reportedly have a plan to hold separate negotiations on the controversial issue of pharmaceutical pricing in a third country, ahead of the third round of FTA talks to be held in the U.S.
Fighting FTAs: An international strategy workshop (press release)
On 27-29 July 2006, FTA Watch, GRAIN and bilaterals.org organised a first ever international workshop to make a strategic analysis of people’s struggles against FTAs in Bangkok, Thailand. This press release about the event was shared with Bangkok-based media on 30 July 2006. More materials and information about followup to the workshop will be shared soon.