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Pakistan approves free trade pact in South Asia
15-Feb-2006 Reuters
The Pakistani cabinet approved a regional pact on Wednesday to promote free trade and economic ties in South Asia, home to nearly one-fifth of the world’s population.
CAFTA delays costing jobs, investment
15-Feb-2006 AP
The delay in implementing the Central American Free Trade Agreement has hit the region’s clothing industry hard, putting factories in legal limbo while much of their business leaves for Asia.
S. Korean rice industry to be hit hard by FTA with US: Report
15-Feb-2006 Asia Pulse
South Korea’s rice industry could suffer a significant drop in earnings and production if the country signs a free trade pact with the United States, even if rice is excluded from the deal, a report said Wednesday.
Trinidad and Tobago to sign investment treaty with Germany
15-Feb-2006 Caribbean Net News
Last week, representatives from both governments met in Port of Spain to conclude the negotiations for a bilateral treaty for the encouragement and mutual promotion of investments.
South America trade zone faces challenges
15-Feb-2006 AP
Mercosur is becoming more of a political body than a free-trade advocacy group.
EU eyes free trade zone in Balkans
15-Feb-2006 SE Times
The European Commission has proposed replacing the existing web of bilateral trade agreements in the Balkans with a regional free trade agreement — a move it says would boost economic prospects. However, the idea has met with opposition in Croatia.
Japan, GCC to hold pre-FTA talks
15-Feb-2006 Japan Times
Japan and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council will hold preliminary talks on a free-trade agreement in late May, government sources said Tuesday.
Uribe heads to US to salvage free trade negotiations
15-Feb-2006 FT
Alvaro Uribe, Colombia’s president, is expected to roll up his shirt sleeves in Washington on Wednesday on a high-stakes mission to personally salvage stalled but crucial free trade negotiations with the US.
Govt opens FTA dialogue
14-Feb-2006
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak asked academics to keep an open mind on the proposed Thai-US Free Trade Area agreement, saying that the FTA would benefit the two countries equally.
Pakistan, Bangladesh sign 4 memoranda
14-Feb-2006
Pakistan and Bangladesh signed four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on trade, standardisation and quality control, agriculture and tourism on Monday.
Malaysia: FTAs with Pakistan, Australia & NZ to be completed this year
14-Feb-2006 Bernama
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) initiatives with Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand are expected to be completed this year, Malaysia’s International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said Tuesday. She also said that FTA negotiations with the US and India would also begin this year, followed by the launch of a joint feasibility study for a possible FTA between Malaysia and Chile.
US sorghum sold to Morocco for the first time in six years
14-Feb-2006 US Grains Council
US sorghum has been sold to Morocco for the first time in six years, a testament that the US-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is working.
EPAs remain roadmap for Africa’s development - EU
14-Feb-2006 Public Agenda
The European Union is still insisting that the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) whose implementation it is currently negotiating with four sub-regional groupings in Sub-Saharan Africa remain the only option for Africa’s development.
UAE debate on benefits of FTA rekindled
14-Feb-2006 Middle East Times
After almost two years, negotiations between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States over a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are nearing an end, with the two sides expected to close a deal within a few months. But the debate over the effect of the agreement on the UAE’s economy has recently been reignited.
Trade agreements key strategy for Singapore
14-Feb-2006 Asia Times
Singapore’s attitude toward free-trade agreements makes a sharp contrast with other countries in the region, such as Thailand: where Thailand has seen controversy over its proposed FTA with the United States, Singapore only seems to become more eager with time when it comes to inking FTAs with the rest of the world.
Congresistas colombianos crean grupo opuesto al TLC
14-Feb-2006 Prensa Latina
Liderados por los opositores partidos Polo Democrático y un sector del Liberal, varios congresistas colombianos crearon hoy un grupo parlamentario opuesto al Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) con Estados Unidos.
Bilateral FTA to be finalised by Sept
14-Feb-2006 Daily Star
Pakistan and Bangladesh have agreed to finalise bilateral free trade area (FTA) agreement within the shortest possible time, by September at the latest, to create scope for easy access of Bangladeshi products to Pakistani market as a measure for reducing the existing trade gap.
Colombia, US resume FTA talks
13-Feb-2006 Prensa Latina
Colombia and the US have set up the 14th negotiation round of the Free Trade Agreement Monday in Washington, with President Alvaro Uribe heading the talks for Colombia.
EU, Central America to decide on talks
13-Feb-2006 Associated Press
The European Union and Central American officials will decide whether to launch free trade talks in May, officials said Monday.
Korea wants rice out of FTA
13-Feb-2006 Korea Times
Improving the quality of locally grown agricultural products will be a key government goal this year as more imports are expected to be sold on the South Korean market, the country’s agriculture minister said Monday.