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India set to get access to Bimstec markets
India and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) member countries plan to sign a deal to provide access to each others’ markets for the pharmaceuticals and services sectors.
Musharraf meets Thaksin: FTA between Thailand, Pakistan in offing
Pakistan and Thailand moved closer to free trade pact as leaders of the two countries moved closer for establishing an agreement on the topic after they met over the weekend, credible sources said here on Monday.
Thai-Japan FTA talks hit snags
Prospects for Japan signing free trade agreements with Thailand and South Korea are being stymied because the countries remain seriously divided on key industrial and farm sectors, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported yesterday quoting diplomatic sources.
Breakthrough in FTA talks expected soon
The third round of negotiations between China and New Zealand to establish a free trade area (FTA) did not result in a major breakthrough. But a breakthrough may be achieved in the not-too-distant future.
Thai-Chinese FTA leads to soaring bilateral trade
Trade between Thailand and China has shot up to 24 billion baht ($60 million) over the first 20 months of the enforcement of the bilateral free trade area (FTA) agreement, with Thailand holding the balance of trade by over 11 billion baht ($27.5 million), according to the Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, Rachane Potjanasuntorn.
UAE rejects GCC pact on free trade deals: Official
Gulf Arab efforts to defend a customs union suffered a setback after the United Arab Emirates refused to sign an accord barring bilateral trade deals except with the United States, Gulf sources said yesterday.
Steel goes on back burner at FTA talks
The Thailand-Japan free trade area (FTA) negotiations will resume in July, with discussions over liberalising steel imports postponed until later rounds, even though Tokyo has come up with a new proposal on the controversial issue, according to Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement comes into force
The Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has come into force from June 12, marking a new stage in regional economic integration.
Human rights ’not on table’ in China FTA
Trade Minister Mark Vaile says the Government will not "sell out" human rights issues to get a better deal on a free trade agreement with China.
Textile sops for Sri Lanka under FTA
India will grant more concessions to Sri Lanka in the apparel and clothing sector under the existing bilateral free trade agreement. New Delhi has agreed to remove the present annual cap of 1.5 million pieces of clothing per category in the sector.
New rules of origin approach for India-Asean FTA by mid-July
India is set to finalise new Rules of Origin (ROO), the criteria that determine the country of origin of the product, for the India-Asean Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by July 15, 2005.
S’pore pact gets Cabinet nod
India has agreed to provide a series of tariff concessions to Singapore under the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), which was approved by the Union Cabinet today.
Thailand firm on positive list
Thailand insists that it will negotiate a bilateral free-trade area agreement with the United States only through a ``positive list’’ approach.
Vanaspati industry on brink of closure: IVPA
With India entering into Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Sri Lanka and other SAARC countries, a number of vanaspati manufacturers have shifted their production base there to avail concessions, sounding a death-knell for the domestic industry by rendering it non-competitive.
Expert dampens China FTA hopes
AUSTRALIANS should not expect too much from a China-Australia free trade agreement, the Howard Government’s lead negotiator for the deal warned yesterday.
President Hopes to sign FTA with Guatemala in August
President Chen Shui-bian said Monday that Guatemalan President Ocar Berger Perdomo has agreed to visit Taiwan in August and that he hopes to sign a Taiwan-Guatemala free trade agreement (FTA) with him by that time.
Health sets out options for FTA talks
After letting health advocates air their opposition to the Thai-US free trade agreement (FTA) for more than a year, the Public Health Ministry yesterday unveiled its position on how Thailand should deal with drug patents.
FTA talks with Thailand, Korea still divided
Prospects for Japan signing free-trade agreements (FTAs) with Thailand and South Korea are being stymied because the countries remain seriously divided on issues concerning key industrial and farm sectors, diplomatic sources have said.
’Make the most of trade deals’
Bahrain businesses must act now or lose out on massive new opportunities worldwide, says an expert. AMIRA AL HUSSAINI reports
EFTA-Thailand negotiations: NGOs appeal to UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health
17 NGOs from Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein submitted today a request to the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health. They urge him to warn the four member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) not to restrict access to affordable generic medicines in Thailand.