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The impact of free trade agreements on intellectual property standards in a post-TRIPS world
We are living in a post-TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) world. Almost every member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has had to reform their intellectual property laws in order to meet the minimum standards of protection that TRIPS prescribes .
Japanese govt to propose big Asian free-trade zone
The Japanese government plans to propose the formation of an Asian free-trade zone which could include half the world’s population and rival the EU and NAFTA, an official of the trade ministry said.
All-People Struggle against FTA declared in S. Korea
Representatives of south Korean civic and social organizations reportedly called a press conference on March 28 to declare the inauguration of the "Headquarters of the All-people Movement for Checking the Conclusion of FTA."
Former presidential aide slams FTA talks with US
A former aide to President Roh Moo-hyun on Tuesday denounced the president’s push for a free trade agreement (FTA) deal with the United States as a "grave blunder" that could endanger the Roh regime and the entire Korean economy.
Beirut begins implementation of EU Association Agreement
The implementation of the Association Agreement-signed four years ago by the European Union and Lebanon-was announced Monday, and is expected to boost bilateral trade, increase the access of Lebanese exports to Europe, and strengthen institutional and political ties between the two sides.
Economy too deserves an Arab Summit
The Great Arab Free Trade Area Agreement (GAFTA) was enforced in January 2005 after a 7-year preparatory transition period. This is the first joint Arab economic action likely to help the Arab countries gain huge profits in line with the regulations of the WTO, the venue absorbing regional economic blocs. Most probably, the results in the first experimental year were not up to the expectations.
EU backs southeast Europe free-trade pact in 2006
The European Union will give strong support to efforts by the continent’s southeastern countries, most of them in the Balkans, to sign a regional free trade deal this year, EU officials said on Monday.
US presses Peru on farm imports before signing deal
The United States is pressing Peru to remove technical barriers to US agricultural products concerning food safety before the two countries sign a bilateral free trade deal, a senior US lawmaker said on Monday.
FTA to leave Hondurans jobless
Honduran humanitarian bodies predicted Monday that the implementation of the US-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) will increase unemployment in agriculture and in small and medium companies.
Joint study group to initiate Pakistan-Canada FTA
Steps are under way to set up a Pak-Canada Joint Study Group for initiating Free Trade Agreement between the two countries, as the volume of two-way trade is not up to the mark in Pakistan and Canada.
Ecuador, US delay free trade talks in Washington
Ecuador and the United States decided to suspend free trade negotiations until late April after a deadlock in talks, the Ecuadorean president’s spokesman said on Monday.
Focus on bilateral trade deals, Bush is urged
Bill Thomas, President George W. Bush’s most important congressional ally on trade liberalisation, is urging the administration to focus its energy on concluding bilateral trade deals, warning on Monday that the Doha multilateral round of talks was heading for failure because of conflicts between the US and the European Union.
EU-Latin America: Doubts arise over May summit
The European Commission’s objective is to ’’establish an enhanced partnership through a network of association agreements (including free trade agreements) involving all the countries of the [Latin America and Caribbean] region and liable to contribute to the integration of the region as a whole.’’
Former PMs aim for closer US-NZ links
A delegation of New Zealand political and business leaders is heading for the United States to forge closer links between the countries, despite fading hopes of a free trade deal in the short term.
Manufacturing a trade pact with China
The proposed free-trade agreement with China is intended to better position South African business to gain access to China’s economy. But will it?
Farmers urge caution in China FTA talks
Australian farmers are warning the Federal Government to take its time negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) with China, after a push by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to accelerate talks.
China wants fast-tracked trade deal
China wants a breakthrough on a free trade deal with Australia within two years, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao says.
KL-Canberra free trade pact talks on track
Negotiations are ongoing for the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with focus on tourism, education and professional services.
Taiwan targets June 2007 for FTA with United States
Taiwan looks forward to signing a free trade agreement with the United States before the expiration of the US Trade Promotion Authority next June, Taiwan’s deputy representative in Washington, DC said Friday.
US cites recommendations regarding FTA with Kuwait
An annual reports released by the US Congress on Friday revealed that intellectual property rights remain a sticking point in progress towards a Free Trade Agreement between Kuwait and the US.