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PM defends FTA agreements
12-Aug-2006
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
12-Aug-2006 Khaleej Times
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
12-Aug-2006
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
12-Aug-2006
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
11-Aug-2006
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
11-Aug-2006
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
11-Aug-2006
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
11-Aug-2006
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)
11-Aug-2006
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.
Brazil, Portugal foster cooperation MERCOSUR-EU
10-Aug-2006
Brazil requested Portugal to support an agreement between the Southern Common Market and European Union.
MERCOSUR: Uruguay sues Argentina
10-Aug-2006
The Southern Common Market Claims Court is hearing Uruguay’s case against Argentina due to road blocks by Argentinean citizens on international routes.
Mercosur plans to return to dialogue with the GCC in September
10-Aug-2006
The Mercosur wants to return to free trade treaty talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in September, after the holiday period in the Arab world and before Ramadan, the holy month that this year should begin around September 22. The idea is to organize a meeting between representatives of both blocs in Riyadh, the Saudi capital.
Barbados signs on to CARICOM-Costa Rica free trade agreement
10-Aug-2006
A free trade agreement between Costa Rica and Barbados, that essentially eliminates barriers to trade and facilitates cross-border movement of goods and services between the territories, went into effect this week.
P4 trade deal takes another step
10-Aug-2006
The ratification of the trade deal between New Zealand, Chile, Brunei and Singapore has taken another step with the Chilean senate approving the deal.
European Union, ECOWAS to regulate trade
10-Aug-2006
The European Union (EU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have decided to negotiate an agreement to regulate their trade relations under the new World Trade Organization (WTO) Compatible Framework.
BIMSTEC meet sets early deadline for FTA
10-Aug-2006
Foreign Ministers from the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Economic and Technical Cooperation have agreed that negotiations to finalise a BIMSTEC free trade agreement should be concluded before the next BIMSTEC summit scheduled to be held early next year in India.
South Africa: Opportunities abound as world woos Africa
10-Aug-2006
Washington recently played host to the annual African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) forum, an annual event mandated by the Agoa legislation which brings together stakeholders from Africa and the US.
Chile, China ratify free trade accord
10-Aug-2006
Chile’s Senate on Wednesday unanimously voted to ratify a free trade agreement with China, Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley said.
Dominican Free Trade delegation is off to Washington
10-Aug-2006
A Dominican delegation of Government officials left for Washington yesterday, to give the finishing touches to the proceedings so that the country enters the Free Trade Agreement with the United States and Central America.
Islamabad not opposed to Kabul’s SAFTA membership
10-Aug-2006
Pakistan on Wednesday rejected the notion as baseless that it was opposed to Afghanistan’s entry into the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).