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Pakistani PM Shaukat arrives in KL for FTA talks
5-May-2005
The proposed Malaysia-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) moves closer to becoming a reality with Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s arrival here today to talk terms.
Conclusion on Thai-Japanese FTA expected in July
4-May-2005 MCOT
The head of the government’s Thai-Japanese free trade area (FTA) negotiating team yesterday expressed confidence that Thailand and Japan would come to a conclusion on a free trade deal by July, but said that Thailand’s stance on the issue remained confidential.
AMCHAM to speak for Korean firms in US
4-May-2005 Korea Times
The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, the largest interest group of American companies here, said Tuesday that it will bring issues affecting Korean member companies, including the Korea-US free trade agreement, to the United States government.
Benguet farmers still wary of veggie imports
4-May-2005 PDI
Provincial officials heaved a sigh of relief when a Philippine-China trade agreement, which covered vegetables and other items, was not one of the documents signed during last week’s visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to the country.
Australia enters dragon’s den
4-May-2005 Mail & Guardian
Despite Australian PM Howard’s glee last week at being the first country to secure Chinese agreement to a bilateral free trade deal, he might find that actually realising an agreement will be a very tough assignment.
Costa Rica balks at free-trade pact
4-May-2005 WSJ
With President Bush’s plan to bind Central America and the US in a free-trade pact already facing tough opposition in Congress, an obstacle has surfaced that further threatens the pact’s chances of passage.
UAE prepares for 2nd round of US FTA talks
3-May-2005
Progress towards a free trade agreement between the UAE and the US stepped up yesterday when the country’s negotiating committee met to review its position and preparations for the second round of talks, scheduled to take place in Washington DC from May 10 to 12.
US moves to break free trade impasse with Southeast Asia
3-May-2005 Zee News
Deputy US Secretary of State Robert Zoellick is determined to break a free trade impasse with Southeast Asia during a visit to the region this week.
Parts makers up in arms against FTA
3-May-2005
Thai auto parts manufacturers have expressed strong opposition to a plan to reduce tariffs on imported Japanese automobiles with engines larger than 3,000cc under the proposed Thailand-Japan free trade agreement.
Vegetables not included in ‘early harvest’ deal with China
3-May-2005 Philippine Star
Vegetables are not included in the Early Harvest Program (EHP) agreement the Philippines and China signed just this Wednesday, April 27, according to Trade and Industry Secretary Juan B. Santos, even though raw and unprocessed agricultural products are covered by the agreement.
IT, biotech, pharmaceuticals, agro food are items for enhanced India-EU cooperation
3-May-2005 Assocham
The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India sees tremendous scope for enhancing economic ties with Europe and has mooted a four pronged strategy for expanding India’s trade basket with the enlarged EU in areas such as information technology & communication, biotech & pharmaceuticals, agro foods processing and textiles.
China, Pakistan FTA to be finalised soon: Finance Advisor
3-May-2005 Asia Pulse
Finance Advisor to Prime Minister Dr Salman Shah on Thursday said free trade arrangement (FTA) between Pakistan and China would be finalised soon. Talking with PTV he said, "We are working on free trade arrangement with China as it will open huge market for Pakistani products."
Early Harvest Programme under India-Asean FTA may be dropped
3-May-2005 Asia Pulse
The much-hyped India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement may not include the Early Harvest Programme with government considering a proposal about whether to adopt a full-fledged FTA.
Sino FTA more likely than Japan: Howard
2-May-2005
Prime Minister John Howard has conceded clinching a free trade agreement with China was more likely than with Japan.
Lubna calls on Japan to enter into FTA talks with the GCC
2-May-2005 Khaleej Times
Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Economy and Planning, yesterday urged Japan to enter into free trade negotiations with the GCC states so as to bolster its trade and investments ties with the region.
Senate confirms Portman as US Trade Representative
1-May-2005 DTN
The US Senate has confirmed President Bush’s nomination of Representative Rob Portman to be trade representative. In a statement, Portman said "Congressional approval of the Central American and Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement, China trade issues, the enforcement of existing agreements, keeping on pace the Doha talks to lower trade barriers, and our ongoing regional and bilateral trade negotiations, are all front and center issues for me."
India, Japan identify eight-fold initiative for strategic partnership
1-May-2005 Asian Tribune
The Prime Ministers of India and Japan have directed the India-Japan Joint Study Group to consider the feasibility of an India-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement.
AIDS drugs dog US-Southern Africa trade deal
1-May-2005 Reuters
The United States and the Southern African trade bloc are set to revive free trade talks next month, but analysts say intellectual property rights for urgently needed AIDS drugs remain a stumbling block.
From TRIPS-minus to TRIPS to TRIPS-plus: Implications of IPRs for the Arab world
1-May-2005
This article sheds light on the evolution of free trade agreements (FTAs) and the IPR protection incorporated within such agreements. The emphasis will be on the latest free trade and investment agreements concluded between the United States and the European Union (EU) with the Arab world and their “TRIPS-Plus” nature.
Howard scores big in China
30-Apr-2005 Japan Times
You can’t win ’em all. Fast-jetting Australian Prime Minister John Howard discovered that on his latest barnstorming through East Asia. In Beijing he was buoyed by the success of signing on to a feasibility study aimed at preceding a free trade agreement (FTA). In Tokyo he got the usual welcoming smiles but no deal on an FTA.