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SD in dilemma over 2008
Swaziland’s private sector has raised concern on which direction the country would take in 2008 when the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) assumes a customs union status.
Playing our own game
Sripai Noonsee was in despair after her latest attempt to find a job at an electronics factory at Bang Kadee Industrial Estate ended in failure like so many others. She has been jobless for many months.
US beef to be on sale after Chusok
US beef will likely be distributed in Korea’s domestic market soon after the Chusok holidays following the government’s decision to resume imports early September.
Dominican pharma reiterates US demands exceed DR-CAFTA stipulations
The Dominican Association of Pharmaceutical Industries denounced yesterday as “abusive demands” the requirements recently posed by the United States Trade Representative, prior to implementing the Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA).
No MFN; Pak expands positive list for India
India on Thursday termed Pakistan’s move to include an additional 302 items in its positive list for trade with India as a ploy to continue to deny the MFN status for India. New Delhi sees this as a clear violation of the Safta pact and would take up the issue in the Safta meet next month.
Banking legislation up to international standards
Banking legislation has been on par with international standards. That was the message from a conference on the effects of the Vietnam-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) on Vietnam’s economic development from 2001-05.
EU’s Mandelson opposes Merkel’s plan for transatlantic free trade zone
European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson voiced his opposition to plans by German Chancellor Angela Merkel to create a transatlantic free trade zone, reported the Handelsblatt.
Mandelson announces EU bilateral trade drive
Often caught between the whims of protectionist and liberal member states, the European Commission on Wednesday firmly tied its colours to a liberal mast proposing a trade policy revamp focused on new markets and stamping out protectionism.
Sayyid Fahd receives US envoy
His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, deputy prime minister for the Council of Ministers, received here yesterday the US ambassador to the Sultanate. Sayyid Fahd welcomed the ambassador and wished him success in his new tasks and relations between the two countries’ progress.
EU to seek bilateral trade deals in Asia as part of policy revamp
The European Commission said it will seek bilateral trade deals, particularly with Asian partners, as part of a policy revamp.
Auto parts sector up against `dumping` from China
Duty concessions offered to some auto components from China under the Bangkok Agreement from September 1 this year have led to Indian companies alleging dumping.
Korea seeks to exempt 240 agro products from Canada FTA
Korea is seeking to exclude 240 agricultural products out of a total of 1,452 from the tariff cut proposals exchanged with Canada during the seventh round of free trade agreement talks, the government said yesterday.
China asks NZ to let workers in as part of free trade agreement
China wants New Zealand to admit skilled workers on temporary permits as part of a planned free trade deal.
China, Chile put free trade agreement into effect
China and Chile’s free trade agreement, which is expected to eventually exempt 97 percent of all trade goods from import tariffs, went into effect on Sunday.
ADB official calls for Asia-wide free trade area
Major obstacles block Asia’s prospects of becoming a common market, but a region-wide free-trade area is a realistic goal, an Asian Development Bank official said.
EPAs negotiations: Civil society calls for caution
Civil society organisations have called for caution as Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) and other African, Caribbean and Pacific(ACP) countries begin the second phase of negotiations with the European Union on the proposed Economic Partnership Agreement(EPAs).
Protecting workers from the effects of FTAs
The benefits of trade liberalisation to consumers and society as a whole have been widely acknowledged, but the hidden costs of liberalisation must also be brought to light if the free-trade regime is to move forward.
Talks on Chinese free trade deal falter
A meeting between Australia’s new Trade Minister, Warren Truss, and his veteran Chinese counterpart Bo Xilai has failed to advance negotiations on a free trade agreement, throwing into doubt whether a deal can be concluded within a two-year timeline.
COMESA, SACU-main vehicles for trade
The Federation of Swaziland Employers and Chamber of Commerce (FSE & CC) has commended the country for its alignment with economic groupings for access to international trade.
Pakistan, China to hold FTA talks on 10th
Pakistan and China are scheduled to hold fourth round of negotiations on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Beijing on October 10.