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South Asian countries must unite for regional clothing and textile hub, say trade experts
Trade experts say countries in the South Asian region can form a major textile and apparel hub - provided they can work together. Right now, mutual mistrust and trade barriers against each other, are stopping SAARC countries from cashing in on a waiting opportunity.
‘India, South Korea to sign economic pact soon’
India’s proposed trade pact with South Korea should span all sectors, especially the services and the IT sector so that economic cooperation between the two countries is placed on the fast track, Seoul’s former mayor and the country’s presidential hopeful Lee Myung Bak, currently visiting New Delhi, said on Thursday.
India, Sri Lanka FTA to be reviewed on 16th -17th April
In a bid to review the functioning of India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a join delegation over FTA is going to be organized the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Sri Lankan Government.
Prospect for an Arab-Asian FTA
On two counts, the 27-28 March Arab League summit in Riyadh could be the beginning of a turning point in the tumultuous history of the Middle East post-1948.
Govt seeks to amend Botswana trade agreement
Zimbabwe which is fast losing its market niche in the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) is seeking amendments to the Bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement (BPTA of 1988) with Botswana in a bid to access markets in the neighbouring nation.
Labor in limbo under FTA with US
Korea’s labor market is emerging as a hot-button issue in the South Korea-US free trade agreement (FTA). If the US Congress and other stakeholders continue to request to add or modify some labor provisions in the agreement, it could prompt South Korea to lose support for the deal at home because domestic business circles may oppose the request.
Indonesia could suffer as result of free trade agreements, say NGOs
Indonesia could suffer losses as great as, or even worse, than those that other developing countries have suffered as a result of entering into free trade agreements, such as the proposed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan, says an international NGO.
Analysis: Korean cab driver self immolates to protest free trade agreement
Although this FTA is poised to reshape the landscape of South Korea and become the United States’ second largest trade deal after NAFTA, Americans have heard virtually nothing about it.
Pakistan, Russia to finalize bilateral investment treaty: PMs
Pakistan and Russia Thursday agreed to finalize a bilateral investment treaty and agreement on avoidance of double taxation with an objective to expand their trade and economic ties.
US slow to talk free trade if Japan keeps rice off table
The United States said yesterday it was reluctant to negotiate a free trade deal with Japan unless the Asian nation opened up its agriculture sector. Although Washington agreed to exclude rice from its free trade agreement with South Korea, it would not offer a similar concession to Japan, Assistant US Trade Representative Wendy Cutler told reporters.
Free trade deal boosts NZ exports to Thailand
New Zealand exports to Thailand have risen strongly since the two countries signed a free trade deal in 2005.
Korean culture industry feels the FTA
The nation’s culture industry is gearing up for the repercussions of the free trade agreement (FTA) signed with the United States, and each sector is preparing damage control for possible side effects from the pact.
Caricom wants ’special provisions’ for sugar, bananas
The EU concession announced last week to remove all remaining quota and tariff restrictions on ACP products includes a phase-out period for rice and sugar, but does not mention bananas.
Italy to tap Korean food markets
The recent free trade agreement between Korea and the US could help uncork one of the hottest markets in an expanding Asian frontier: quality foodstuffs and wine.
Barbados expanding investment treaties
Barbados is moving to expand its list of investment treaties with European and developing countries in Africa, the Western Hemisphere and the Indian Ocean.
Gov’t warns teachers union off anti-FTA classes
The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development has asked provincial education offices to prevent the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union from teaching classes against the recently concluded Korea-US free trade agreement. The teachers’ union has been conducting anti-FTA classes since March 26 and posted anti-FTA class materials on its homepage.
Negotiator says US may have to reopen FTA discussion on labor, other provisions
The United States may have to renegotiate labor and possibly other provisions in its free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea, a senior official said Wednesday. A South Korean official had said Tuesday that Seoul considers the labor chapter of the agreement closed.
Trade pact with Thailand by July
India and Thailand hope to conclude their proposed free trade area (FTA) by this July with trade negotiators of the two countries hoping to smooth out contentious issues before then.
Africa must be careful in its trade pacts with Europeans
The European Union celebrated its 50th birthday on March 25, since the signing of the founding Rome treaty, a pact originally comprising six Western European nations. France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg sealed an economic co-operation that was meant to avoid future wars.
Calls for removal of regional trade barriers
Civil society organisations and the business community in southern Africa have called for review of trade policies in order to deepen regional integration.