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Negotiators extend deadline for South Korea trade pact
United States and South Korean negotiators on Friday extended a deadline to reach a free-trade agreement, as Washington struggled to complete a deal that could be used as a model for other Asian countries.
Peru, China interested in bilateral FTA
President of Peru Alan Garcia and member of the Permanent Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, Li Changchun, confirmed on Friday the common interest to negotiate a bilateral free trade agreement.
Vietnam, Chile begin free trade talks
Vietnam and Chile have launched negotiations on a free trade agreement, the Chilean Ambassador to Vietnam said Thursday, forecasting a deal may be reached soon.
EU pledges aid, advice to Saarc, Safta
The European Commission (EC) has offered to share expertise and experience in all areas of interest to South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) as well as in the implementation of the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (Safta).
Bush notifies Congress of plans to sign Panama free trade deal
President George W. Bush notified Congress on Friday that he plans to sign a free trade agreement with Panama.
Taiwan confident of winning FTA support
Pointing out that few problems exist in business and trade exchanges between Taiwan and the United States, a Taiwan economics official said Thursday that he is confident Taiwan will win the U.S. private sector’s support for the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Ex-USTR negotiator Vargo key in CAFTA case
Pittsburgh-based Railroad Development Corporation (RDC) has hired former US trade agreement negotiator, Regina Vargo, and filed suit against the Guatemalan government under the investor-state provisions within Chapter 10 of CAFTA.
’Jamu’ makers get ready for AFTA by standardising products
‘Jamu’ or medicinal herb tonic producers in the Southeast Asian (SEA) region are making efforts to standardize their commodities in the face of the advent of the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA), an Indonesian jamu businessman said.
Private sector fully supports signing of Japan-Thailand FTA
The Joint Private-Sector Committee has supported the government’s decision to sign the Japan and Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA), saying Thailand would lose a market share in Japan if the signing was cancelled or postponed.
Pakistan, Thailand to establish stronger trade links
Pakistan and Thailand will establish a joint bank and trade centre to promote bilateral trade and investment, said Punjab Trade & Investment minister here Friday.
US, S Korea trade talks stumble at last minute
Trade talks between the United States and South Korea stumbled on Friday just hours before a deadline, with the White House saying they could fail.
World Bank for Sino-India FTA
Trade within South Asia can be more than doubled if appropriate regional agreements on roads, rail, air, and shipping are put in place. A comprehensive report prepared by the World Bank ahead of the Saarc Heads of State Summit in New Delhi on April 3 to 4 has suggested that the instrumentality of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) be deployed not in promoting South Asia Free Trade Agreement (Safta) but project by project cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Long march before FTA
Australia’s free trade agreement talks with China concluded their eighth round in Beijing with little progress, despite many "technically useful" discussions.
Dealing with the generals
The troubled military-appointed government in Thailand has said that it will go ahead with the signing of a free-trade deal with Japan on April 3rd. Although welcomed by some local sectors, the move risks further damaging the interim government’s credibility, as concerns have been raised over whether the government has overstepped its authority and also that it has failed to follow up on its promise to hold public hearings on the issue.
Slipshod SK-US FTA negotiations must be halted
Looking at what has been negotiated, it is clear the process is going to end in a way where Korea loses if things turn out well and loses even more if things don’t turn out well.
FTA-inflicted farm households to get subsidy
The Korean government is moving to soothe the anger of farmers and others who will be affected by a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States by committing a package of measures aimed at supporting them.
Italian lawsuit against SA government reinforces historical injustice
Finstone Ltd SA, a foreign mining company based in Luxembourg, is suing the South African government for an alleged expropriation of its mineral rights. Finstone is a holding company in control of three South African granite producing operations i.e. Marlin, Red Graniti and Kelgran. The real challenge posed by this legal action is that the abovementioned investors find the black economic empowerment programme is in violation of the bilateral treaties signed with South Africa by both Luxembourg and Italy.
Anti-FTA protests to continue on last day of FTA talks
Protests against free trade talks between South Korea and the United States continue Friday as negotiators make a last-ditch effort to find ways to conclude a deal before a weekend deadline. The Korean Alliance Against the Korea-US FTA plans to hold an evening candlelight protest in downtown Seoul with more than 10,000 workers, farmers and activists taking part.
N. Korea calls for struggle against FTA
North Korea has urged South Koreans to fight against Seoul’s free trade agreement with the US, condemning it as a “yoke of subordination.”
US urges S. Korea to be rational in FTA talks
The US secretary of agriculture urged South Korea to be "rational and predictable" in dealing with trade issues, a stern message that came as the two countries get ready to conclude a free trade agreement (FTA).