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’High time we signed RTAs’
11-May-2005 Financial Express
Commerce and industry minister Kamal Nath has said that India is specifically looking at regional trading agreements (RTA) to boost its trade. "Without such agreements India faces the risk of being isolated globally. India must engage in trade on a regional basis", he said.
Brazil’s Lula, aiming to boost trade with Arabs, hosts summit
11-May-2005 Bloomberg
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva opens an Arab-Latin American summit today aimed at increasing commerce between the two regions as he seeks to reduce developing nations’ dependence on the U.S. and European Union.
NGO coalition bucks free trade talks with Japan
11-May-2005 Philippine Star
A coalition of non-government organizations is opposing the free trade talks under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) saying the Philippines would wind up as the losing party if the deal pushes through.
New trade pact won’t replace Comesa
11-May-2005 The Standard
The proposed East and South Africa economic block will not replace the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa).
Thailand supports Pakistan’s ASEAN bid
11-May-2005 Daily Times
Thailand on Monday became the first non-Muslim country to support Pakistan’s bid to become a full dialogue partner of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and agreed to start talks on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the South Asian country.
Jordan seeks to sign free trade agreement with Iraq - Smadi
11-May-2005 Jordan Times
Jordan is keen to sign a free trade agreement with Baghdad and has already presented Iraq with the necessary draft.
Koizumi, Susilo to sign investment deal in Tokyo
11-May-2005 Jakarta Post
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is scheduled to sign an investment agreement with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the latter’s visit to Japan later this month.
Plan for FTA with Islamabad
11-May-2005 Bangkok Post
Thailand and Pakistan have agreed in principle to draw up a free trade area (FTA) agreement under the Economic Comprehensive Partnership between the two nations.
Trade talks between SACU and USA cancelled
11-May-2005 TRALAC
Talks were scheduled to restart this week between deputy trade ministers of South Africa and the United States regarding a free trade agreement (FTA) between the US and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). These have now been cancelled and no new date set.
Free trade pact faces trouble in Congress
10-May-2005 New York Times
The current centerpiece of President Bush’s trade agenda, the Central American Free Trade Agreement, is facing unusually united Democratic opposition as well as serious problems in overcoming well-entrenched special interest groups like sugar producers and much of the textile industry.
Open up FTA talks to wider participation
9-May-2005
Free trade area agreements made between Thailand and some foreign trade partners have caused a lot of concern and unhappiness among farmers and business operators.
GCC-China FTA talks on ’fast track’
9-May-2005 Xinhua
Free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China are on fast track and expected to be completed before the end of 2006, the Times of Oman daily reported on Saturday.
DTI to fasttrack study on free trade agreement between RP and US
9-May-2005 Philippine Star
Trade and Industry Secretary Juan B. Santos has agreed to accelerate the completion of a cost-benefit analysis study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies regarding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and the United States.
Free trade fears
9-May-2005 Frontline
China’s proposal for a free trade agreement with India meets with resistance from Indian industry.
Rafidah wants private sector to continue to be proactive in FTA, WTO processes
8-May-2005
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz wants the Malaysian private sector to continue to be proactively engage in the country’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and World Trade Organisation (WTO) processes.
Tuzmen: We will complete signing of FTA with Arab countries
8-May-2005
Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said on Thursday, "we will complete signing of free trade agreement (FTA) with Arab countries in a vast area from Morocco to Syria in the next few years."
Gulf states discuss economic tie-up, FTA with the US
8-May-2005
Finance ministers from six Gulf states met yesterday to discuss economic integration, including a unified currency, and a free trade agreement with the United States, an official said.
Canada contemplates innovative bilateral trade initiatives
8-May-2005
Canada has pursued trade opportunities beyond the U.S. by entering into a number of traditional and innovative bilateral agreements.
China urges movement on trilateral FTA
7-May-2005
China called on Japan and South Korea on Saturday to expedite a trilateral study on a possible three-way free trade agreement, Japanese officials said.
Singapore, SA eye trade pact
7-May-2005
Singapore and South Africa have agreed to begin free trade talks later this year, as the wealthy city-state seeks to expand its economic access to African states.