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Israel, Jordan upgraded QIZ trade pact
The newly signed agreement intends to improve supervision on compliance with rules of origin under the qualified industrial zones (QIZ) treaty.
India turns to FTA to realise dream of being a small-car hub
India seems close to crossing another milestone on its journey towards becoming the world’s small car manufacturing hub. Made-in-India small cars in this case, to be defined as powered by a heart smaller than 1300cc is soon expected to get an easier passage into Sri Lanka, under an expanded free trade agreement (FTA).
Palm oil boil may delay FTA with Asean
Asean’s primary interest lies in palm oil where it has demanded that duties should be pruned to 30-40% within five years of the implementation of the agreement instead of 50% within 10-12 years period as suggested by India. At present, palm oil attracts a duty of 75%.
Midterm Review of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs): Independent contribution of the regional networks of farmers’ organizations
The networks of farmers’ organizations of five ACP sub-regions (Central Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa and the Caribbean) have carried out their own mid-term assessment of the state of progress in the negotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in order to contribute to the formal review foreseen in article 37,4 of the Cotonou Agreement.
“Is it possible to negotiate development agreements between the EU and the ACP regions ?”
The ACP farmer networks present their contributions to the Comprehensive Review of EPA Preparations and Negotiation for All ACP Regions
US rejects Korea’s FTA trade-off deal
The United States has dashed South Korea’s hopes of a trade-off over difficult issues that block their efforts to establish a free trade agreement (FTA), pressing Korea to accept its proposal or face the consequences.
Benguet’s vegetable farmers wary of free trade
The Philippine government’s move to liberalize imports, including vegetables, is expected to meet fierce resistance from farmers in the province, who all fear that the policy will spell doom for the local vegetable industry.
US manufacturers step up pressure on trade
US manufacturers are stepping up lobbying efforts in Washington over imperilled trade deals they see as vital to growth next year.
Asean not excited by India’s X’mas offer to speed up FTA talks
India’s Christmas offer to cut its negative list to mollify the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) to speed up the snail-paced free trade agreement (FTA) talks does not seem to impress the 10-member regional grouping.
Seoul, Washington likely to miss March FTA deadline: report
South Korea and the US are expected to miss the March deadline for a free trade agreement (FTA) as their political situations are likely to undergo changes, a report said Wednesday.
Agoa extension ‘won’t help East Africa’
The recent approval of a five-year extension of permission to use foreign fabrics in Africa’s duty-free clothing exports to the US is seen by trade experts in Washington as helping to stabilise East Africa’s textile industries. But the action last week by the US Congress is unlikely to reverse the downward trend in Kenya and Uganda’s apparel sales to the American market.
India forms new SA trade bloc sans Pak
In what is being described as a success for India and a "failure and punishment for Pakistan" on the economic diplomacy front, India has formed a regional trading bloc excluding Islamabad, and including all the SAFTA members, besides Thailand.
Thailand still in deficit with China under ASEAN-Sino FTA
Thailand remained with a deficit of more than Bt1.7 billion (about US$46.6 million) in trade with China under the ASEAN-Sino Free Trade Area (FTA) agreement during the first nine months of this year, according to the Foreign Trade Department.
Korea hints at FTA trade-off
Korea is giving hints that it is ready for a "big deal" with the United States, as part of efforts to establish a free trade agreement (FTA).
Edible oils made India-ASEAN FTA out of reach in 2006
In a country where oil diplomacy usually relates to petroleum resources, the year 2006 must have come as a lesson for top trade and foreign policy makers.
Brunei: Cheaper Japanese goods here
Japan is one of the biggest markets for Brunei’s liquefied natural gas. Undoubtedly the EPA is said to include a clause that ensures a stable supply of natural gas for Japan. More than US$2 billion worth of gas were supplied to Japan in 2005 alone.
Free trade’s kimchee food fight
South Korea’s countryside is steeped in peasant traditions that could be swallowed by US trade pact