bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

Articles by language


The treatment of geographical indications in recent regional and bilateral FTAs
The objective of this paper is to analyze what has been the treatment of GIs in the new generation of regional trade agreement as well as the content of the new standards being set.
Court asked to throw out FTA with Australia
FTA opponents yesterday asked the Constitution Court to annul the Thai Australian Free Trade Area agreement (Tafta) on the ground that the Thaksin government entered into it unconstitutionally two years ago.
Singapore-Pak FTA by year-end
Singapore and Pakistan will sign the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) before the end of this year, Federal Minister of Commerce, Himayun Akhtar Khan has said.
Pakistan begins talks with China for free trade accord
Pakistan is in separate bilateral talks with China and Malaysia to ease trade restrictions between the nations and is close to signing an accord with Singapore, commerce minister Humayun Akhtar said.
Arab agricultural engineers review effects of free trade zone
The Arab Agricultural Engineers Union on Monday convened its 16th technical conference to discuss "Agricultural Integration under the Establishment of Greater Arab Free Trade Zone." The zone, which came into effect in late 2005, includes 18 member states and represents 94 per cent of all Arab trade.
US won’t negotiate with caretaker govt
The United States is ready to resume negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with Thailand when the political situation here is clearer, US ambassador Ralph Boyce said yesterday. Washington cannot negotiate a deal with a caretaker government, he said.
Ecuador to oppose arbitration claim filed by Occidental Petroleum
Ecuador will oppose an arbitration suit filed last week by Occidental Petroleum Corp (OXY) with the World Bank’s International Center for Investment Disputes in Washington, DC, said Ecuadorean Attorney General Jose Maria Borja.
Globalized protests
Korea and the United States will start formal negotiations on a bilateral free trade accord in Washington on June 5. Flying to the US capital for the occasion are not only government delegates but also a contingent of about 100 demonstrators. Having heard much about Korean protesters’ militancy, local police have reportedly entered a state of emergency.
Colombia: Casualties in battle against free trade pact with US
Indigenous and campesino protests against the free trade deal that Colombia is negotiating with the United States drew a harsh military response from the government of rightwing President Álvaro Uribe, leaving an as yet unknown number of people dead, injured or missing. Even the ombudsman of the southwestern province of Nariño, Carlos Mario Aguirre, was hospitalised last Thursday.
Koreans, French fight Hollywood domination
Films from South Korea may not be as prominently featured in the program of the 59th Cannes Film Festival as in recent years, yet Korean cinema is garnering attention, thanks to the struggle by industry people to defend the screen quota system.
US eyes closer trade ties with Taiwan, but no pact
The United States has no immediate plans to negotiate a free trade pact with Taiwan, but is eager to discuss other ways to expand economic ties, a top US trade official told reporters on Monday.
White House upbeat on Vietnam trade pact
The Bush administration expressed optimism Monday that a recently completed trade agreement with Vietnam can be signed by early June and supporting legislation can win congressional approval this summer.
Korean groups vow ’no violence’ in US capital
Korean activists will go ahead with their planned rallies in Washington to protest negotiations for a free trade agreement, ignoring the government’s appeal for restraint.
Mexico to replace Venezuela in trade pact
Mexican officials said Monday they will seek a replacement for Venezuela after the South American nation decided to quit the G-3 trade pact.
ALBA: Social debt and human rights - proposals for the new social, economic and cultural order
President Chavez has proposed a new project for Latin America integration, ALBA, which challenges the imperial project ALCA, designed to consolidate neocolonial empire.
Guatemala: Fears and hopes raised by free trade with US
With just a few days to go before the removal of trade barriers between Guatemala and the United States, social organisations are afraid that living standards in Guatemala will decline, while the government and the business community predict an influx of investment, economic growth, and the creation of thousands of new jobs.
US upbeat about trade talks with South Korea, Malaysia
The United States is "very optimistic" about clinching free trade agreements (FTAs) with major trading partners South Korea and Malaysia, a senior US official said.
Free trade match kick-off
Winning the soccer World Cup in Germany next month would be a cinch compared with winning special access to Chinese markets for Australian farmers, investors and service providers.
Indo-Asean FTA set for Jan takeoff
Here is the final word on the Indo-Asean free trade agreement (FTA) - bigger than any other trade pact that India has entered into so far.