bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

Articles by language

EN
ES
FR
DE
HI
NL
PT
JA
ID
TL
US signs trade pact with Oman, keeps Egypt on hold
19-Jan-2006 Reuters
The United States signed a free-trade agreement on Thursday with Oman, a moderate Gulf state and ally in the US war on terrorism, while keeping trade talks with Egypt on hold amid concerns over its commitment to democracy.
EU-Asean FTA talks at intense exploratory stage
19-Jan-2006 The Edge Daily
EU-Asean free trade talks are at "an intense" exploratory stage and the third high-level meeting of trade officials from both regions is scheduled to take place in Bangkok next week, said EU envoy to Malaysia, Thierry Rommel.
US free-trade deal on shaky ground
19-Jan-2006 swissinfo
The prospect of a Swiss-US free-trade accord is in doubt, mainly due to differences over agriculture, according to Swiss Economics Minister Joseph Deiss.
NGOs urge EFTA countries not to endanger public health, food security and development in Thailand
19-Jan-2006
In a letter addressed to the trade and foreign ministers from EFTA states, 50 organisations urged the trade association’s member states to drop provisions from a free trade agreement with Thailand that would restrict access to cheap medicines and credit and limit farmers rights.
Bechtel, Bolivia resolve dispute
19-Jan-2006 San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco-based Bechtel Corp. has dropped a $25 million dispute against the Bolivian government for canceling a water contract, after major street demonstrations forced a Bechtel-owned subsidiary to withdraw from Bolivia’s third-largest city.
Joint-study group set up to study Msia-Chile FTA
19-Jan-2006 BERNAMA
Malaysia and Chile have taken the first step towards forging a free trade agreement (FTA) by setting up a joint study group to undertake a feasibility study on the matter.
Egypt-US free trade deal at risk: US official
19-Jan-2006 AFP
Egypt risks missing its chance to clinch a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States if talks do not kick off in the coming weeks, an official with the US Congress said.
S. Korea seeks FTA with US
19-Jan-2006 UPI
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said Wednesday he would push for a free-trade agreement with the United States as early as possible.
Nitya to stay on for ’sake of the nation’
19-Jan-2006 Bangkok Post
The head of the Thai team negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, Nitya Pibulsonggram, has been persuaded to remain in the ’’thankless job’’, sources said yesterday.
India Fin Min: Hopes to sign FTA with Japan before China
18-Jan-2006 Dow Jones News
Indian Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said Wednesday that India hopes to conclude a free trade or similar economic partnership agreement with Japan before it concludes one with China.
Thailand: Top FTA official throws in the towel
18-Jan-2006 Bangkok Post
Nit Pibulsongkram is to resign as head of the Thai team negotiating a free-trade agreement with the United States because of the tremendous political pressure weighing on him, according to a source at Government House.
Colombia, Ecuador to set common position in FTA talks
17-Jan-2006 Dow Jones
Colombia and Ecuador will set a common position in negotiations with the US on a free trade agreement, the presidents of both countries said Monday in a press conference.
US-Thai FTA: Shin Corp deal could affect FTA talks
17-Jan-2006
The Shinawatra family’s reported plan to sell off its stake in Shin Corp Plc to Singapore’s Temasek Holdings might complicate the Thai-US free trade talks and stall negotiations.
Cabinet gives nod for Malaysia-US FTA discussions, says Rafidah
17-Jan-2006
The Cabinet has agreed in principle for Malaysia and the US to begin discussions towards forging a free trade agreement (FTA) as and when both sides are ready.
Central bank chief wants FTA openness
17-Jan-2006
Bank of Thailand (BOT) Governor M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula said he felt the mounting opposition to a free trade area (FTA) was due to the lack of an explanation to the public in a concrete manner.
Sacrificing lives for patents under FTA
17-Jan-2006 Bangkok Post
On the last day of the sixth round of Thai-US Free Trade Area talks, several academics and non-governmental bodies were invited to discuss their concerns with US negotiators on aspects of intellectual property rights, with an emphasis on pharmaceutical and life form patents. For a number of reasons, only one academic showed up.
EU proposals to Iran (summary 2005)
17-Jan-2006 IranMania
On 5 August 2005, the E3/EU passed to Iran a "Framework for a Long-term Agreement". Under it, the E3/EU would work for an early conclusion of negotiations on a draft EU/Iran Trade & Co-operation Agreement.
India, EU should sign free trade deal: UK
16-Jan-2006 The Hindu
The United Kingdom has proposed that India and the European Union enter into a Free Trade Agreement. The suggestion was made by the visiting UK Trade Minister, Ian Pearson, to Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath, who said India would be "open" to the idea.
US trade meeting planned
16-Jan-2006
Business leaders have been invited to a top-level meeting which could help push New Zealand’s case for a free trade deal with the United States.
Islamabad may stay out of South Asian Free Trade Area treaty
16-Jan-2006
Pakistan is likely to stay away from the South Asian Free Trade Area (Safta) to avoid its political fallout on the country’s principled stand on Jammu and Kashmir dispute.