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Malaysian free trade talks bogged down
New Zealand’s free trade talks with Malaysia have become bogged down over differences about how much access should be given to service industries.
TDRI moots fund to support the ’victims’ of free-trade pacts
The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has proposed that the government collect an adjustment fund from the beneficiaries of free-trade agreements in order to compensate those who suffer in the early stages of their implementation.
Cape Verde wants to negotiate economic partnership with EU outside of ECOWAS
The government of Cape Verde said Monday that it had abandoned the agreement established as part of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and plans to negotiate directly with the European Union (EU) for an economic partnership agreement.
Singapore’s FTAs are standby if global trade talks fail: MM Lee
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has explained that Singapore’s free trade agreements with the countries it has sealed with so far are a stand by if the Doha round of multilateral talks does not succeed.
American critics blast S Korean-US trade talks
American opponents of a proposed South Korean-US free trade accord on Monday accused the deal of devastating the lives of workers in both countries, while benefiting only big businesses.
Iraq, Iran set up free-trade zone
The southern Province of Basra now has a free-trade zone with neighboring Iran, signaling yet another boost in commercial ties.
South Korea reiterates rice should be excluded from free trade talks with US
South Korea insisted Monday its rice market should be exempt from a proposed free trade agreement with the United States, inviting a showdown on one of the most sensitive areas of talks between the economic powerhouses.
Farmers must have a say in talks on free trade agreements
Thai farmers and small-scale manufacturers should be allowed to participate in negotiations for free trade agreements (FTAs) to ensure their survival, says a Khao Sod editorial.
UK opposition leader proposes EU-India free trade deal
The leader of the UK’s main opposition Conservative Party, David Cameron, has proposed the idea of an EU-Indian free trade pact if the Doha round of global trade talks fails.
Korean FTA delegates leave for the US
Korean delegates to Korea-US free trade negotiations are leaving for the US city of Seattle on Monday afternoon for the third round of negotiations.
FTAs won’t stop subtle forms of discrimination
A reflexive response to a difficult question is to say that it’s a good question. The ruse provides time for the person questioned to come up with an answer, or avoid embarrassment, or to plainly gloss it over.
Toughest issues remain in South Korea-U.S. free trade talks
Rough sailing is anticipated in free trade agreement talks with the United States that resume in Seattle this week, with rice and other sensitive issues expected to be taken up for the first time, South Korean officials said Sunday.
COMESA urged to speed up integration
Common Markets for Eastern and Southern Africa - Comesa member countries ought to speed up the process in setting up a unified customs union.
Oman seeks fast-track mechanism for India-GCC FTA
Oman today said India and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council should create a fast-track mechanism for early completion of negotiations on the proposed Free Trade Agreement to boost economic engagement.
Seattle police to ask FTA protesters for calm
The chief of Seattle’s police department will meet South Korean media on Tuesday to ask protesters planning demonstrations over free trade talks this week to refrain from violence.
A fair shake: South Korean activists seek “mini-WTO protest” at trade talks
The mass protests that took place against the World Trade Organization in 1999 might stop some nations from scheduling a round of free-trade talks in Seattle. But not South Korea.
Algeria about to lose $5bn
The dismantling of customs tariffs on the entry of EU goods under the EU-Algeria association agreement is expected to cause to Algeria a five billion dollar loss in income and 500 000 jobs.
Peru and Mexico negotiate free trade pact
Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez said Thursday that his country and Peru are "90 percent" of the way to concluding a free trade agreement.
Trade furore: Pacific solidarity thrown into disarray
Concerns are growing that the key bargaining chip for the islands of the Pacific with the European Union (EU) is fast eroding. This follows a decision by the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati and the Solomon Islands to continue their bilateral fisheries agreements with Europe despite a collective decision for the Pacific to negotiate as a group.
China, Cyprus sign agreement on economic cooperation
China and Cyrus signed an economic cooperation agreement on Wednesday, pledging to strengthen and develop bilateral cooperation in the sectors of trade, research, science and technology.