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Dabhol deal on track, Bechtel says it’s willing to settle
The Dabhol settlement process is almost complete with US-based Bechtel Corp finally informing the Indian side that it’s willing to settle and not proceed with international arbitration.
Exporting prices: Drug makers’ trade group makes the industry’s priorities US trade policy
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which represents 67 parent companies and subsidiaries that develop and make prescription and over-the-counter drugs, listed contacts with the government’s top officials overseeing international trade agreements on more lobbying reports than it did for contacts with the Food and Drug Administration, which directly oversees the industry’s products.
Bahrain parliament approves FTA with the US
The Bahraini parliament approved a free trade agreement with the United States. Some lawmakers wanted to use the agreement to press Washington to release six Bahrainis detained by the US at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. But most MPs decided that they have a better chance to resolve the issue by ratifying the accord.
India to go slow on trade pacts with US and EU
The Prime Minister’s Trade and Economic Relationship Committee has decided to go slow on bilateral trade agreements with Washington and Brussels. Even in the limited context of services, the government would rather remain unget-at-able to the two largest trading partners of the country in the medium term. Much less would New Delhi harbour the idea of entering into more comprehensive economic agreements covering trade in goods, investment and financial services with the twosome.
CAFTA reflects Democrats’ shift from trade bills
Twelve years ago, amid heated rhetoric over job losses and heavy union pressure, the House passed the North American Free Trade Agreement with 102 Democratic votes. This month, as President Bush pushes the far less economically significant Central American Free Trade Agreement, he will be lucky to get more than 10.
Indonesia, Japan to negotiate on EPA
Indonesia and Japan will begin negotiation of Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) on July 14 in Jakarta.
Walking tall
By tying a free-trade agreement to the outcome of Egypt’s ongoing political reform campaign, Washington is ramping up the pressure. Can the Nazif Government set up an infrastructure that will make strong business ties indispensable regardless of the political atmosphere?
What does India-Singapore agreement hold in store?
The India-Singapore CECA which will be effective from August 1, ’05 is reckoned to be forerunner for similar such agreements which are now being finalised and are close to fruition.
M’sia’s trade will see an uptrend with FTAs
Malaysia’s trade is expected to continue to flourish following its free trade agreements (FTAs) with its trading partners in Asia, both regionally and bilaterally, Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said.
DR-CAFTA: Challenges and Opportunities for Central America (World Bank study)
Co-authored by World Bank economists Carlos Felipe Jaramillo and Daniel Lederman, provides an assessment of the agreement negotiated by Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua with the US.
Nakagawa intends to meet Thaksin to politically settle FTA talks
Japan’s Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Shoichi Nakagawa expressed hope Friday for talks with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to achieve a political breakthrough in bilateral negotiations to seal a free trade agreement by the end of July, the target date set by the two governments.
Thai-New Zealand FTA comes into effect
The bilateral free trade area (FTA) agreement between Thailand and New Zealand officially came into effect on 1 July 2005.
Zambia to lose $15m if it maintains pact with EU
Zambia stands to lose about US$15 million if it maintains its economic partnership agreement with the European Union (EU), Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Dipak Patel has said.
US Senate approves Central America trade deal
The US Senate on Thursday endorsed a free trade agreement with six Latin American nations, handing a major win to President Bush.
Labor issues to delay Japan-Philippines FTA
The signing of an economic partnership agreement between Japan and the Philippines is likely to be pushed back to at least the end of the year due to disagreements over investment protections and quotas for care providers.
CAFTA and Korea: Swift countermeasures needed to cushion impacts
The free trade agreement between China and 10 Southeast Asian Nations taking effect this month poses considerable challenges to Korea. The China-ASEAN FTA, or CAFTA, will form the world’s third-largest trading bloc, following NAFTA and the EU.
Demonstration against Central American summit held in Honduras
Students, teachers and indigenous residents demonstrated Wednesday in Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras, against the free trade agreement (FTA) between Central America and the United States.
India-Singapore CECA (2005)
11th hour deal paves way for trade pact passage
The Bush administration and key lawmakers struck an 11th hour deal with US sugar producers to shore up congressional support for a controversial trade agreement, senators said Wednesday. A full Senate vote could come as early as Thursday on the US-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).
Korean exporters brace for ASEAN-China FTA
A gradual reduction in tariffs on manufactured goods between China and ASEAN as their free trade pact goes into effect on July 1 spells trouble for Korean exports.