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EU-Mercosur to meet in September signaling movement in trade talks
19-Aug-2024 Euractiv
European Union and South American negotiators will meet on 4-6 September in Brasilia in the first in-person talks since April, raising hopes an EU-Mercosur trade deal can be concluded this year, diplomats said.
US aims to boost trade with Africa to challenge China on key minerals
19-Aug-2024 Bloomberg
The draft legislation also proposes modifying AGOA’s rules of origin to allow inputs from North African nations that are members of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Russian oligarch launches €15bn lawsuit against Luxembourg
19-Aug-2024 virgule
Mikhail Fridman files international arbitration case against Luxembourg after country froze his assets when he was hit by EU sanctions.
India, Aus to resume comprehensive FTA talks on Monday; progress expected
19-Aug-2024 Business Standard
Chief negotiators of India and Australia will begin the next round of talks for the comprehensive free trade agreement from tomorrow in Sydney, where both sides are likely to close negotiations on several chapters of the pact, an official said.
Cabinet approves ratification of Sri Lanka- Thailand FTA
13-Aug-2024 The Island Online
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policy to ratify the Sri Lanka-Thailand Free Trade Agreement.
Decision on restarting Malaysia-EU FTA talks imminent, says ambassador
12-Aug-2024 The Star
Outgoing European Union (EU) Ambassador to Malaysia Michalis Rokas says he is confident that the decision to restart negotiations on the stalled Malaysia-EU Free Trade Agreement (MEUFTA) is imminent. Having started the stock-taking exercise last year, the decision to restart talks on MEUFTA may take, at the maximum, a couple of months.
Maldives oppposition warns FTA with China imperils economic sovereignty
12-Aug-2024 The Diplomat
If tariffs are eliminated for Chinese goods, Maldives will be forced to import exclusively from China as goods from other countries would not be able to compete against cheaper Chinese goods.
Indonesia, EU reconcile forest data ahead of new rules on deforestation-free trade
12-Aug-2024 Mongabay
The Indonesian government and its European Union counterparts are ironing out differences in their forest and commodity supply chain data ahead of a looming deadline that could shut Indonesian commodities out of the EU market.
​Indonesia, Japan intensify billateral trade
12-Aug-2024 Vietnam Plus
Indonesia’s Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan and Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa signed the Protocol of Amendments to the Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA) in Jakarta on August 8.
The India-UK FTA: Finally coming to fruition?
12-Aug-2024 Observer Research Foundation
Following the recent general elections in India and the United Kingdom (UK), the prospect of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) looks closer than ever. Even though the narrative is tempting—recent elections, particularly the change in government in the UK, as the ultimate catalyst for its conclusion—reality is a shade more nuanced.
Kenya, US in rush to conclude free trade pact as Biden leaves
9-Aug-2024 The Standard
The outgoing Biden administration and the Ruto government are scrambling to conclude the much-delayed free trade agreement first inked during the Donald Trump era
‘Political instability threatens AfCFTA implementation’
9-Aug-2024 Punch
Political Instability and policy inconsistencies, among others, constitute barriers that threaten the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area Trade in Services Protocol.
‘Expropriation threat’: Tanzania hit by $1.2 billion damages claim in bitter gas field dispute
9-Aug-2024 Upstream
Toronto-listed Orca Energy has hit Tanzania’s government with a US$1.2 billion claim
Nepal-Bangladesh bilateral trade headed for uncertainty
7-Aug-2024 Kathmandu Post
Analysts have warned that the ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh may disrupt Nepal’s trade, including the signing of the first agreement to export electricity to the energy-hungry nation.
India urges regional bloc that includes Bangladesh to fast-track trade talks
7-Aug-2024 Live Mint
India’s commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal suggested that the seven-nation group work on a preferential trade agreement before eventually signing a free trade agreement.
Europe and Asia: which countries Ukraine plans to conclude and update FTAs with this year
7-Aug-2024 Ukrinform
Ukraine is preparing to approve and update several free trade agreements (FTAs) with several European and Asian countries in the near future.
Mozambique: Cabinet approves resolution on African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement
7-Aug-2024 Club Mozambique
Mozambique’s government approved on Tuesday the resolution on Mozambique’s Tariff Offer for the Implementation of the Agreement creating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
State lawmakers urge US exit from toxic ISDS mechanisms in trade deals
6-Aug-2024 Common Dreams
"Outdated trade rules like ISDS can pose a real threat to states’ sustainable energy initiatives and the good-paying jobs they create," said one lawmaker from Maine
Sri Lanka plans to sign trade deal with Indonesia in March 2025
6-Aug-2024 The Edge Malaysia
Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved the signing of a trade agreement with Indonesia in March (next year), a government official said on Tuesday, as the island seeks to revive its crisis-hit economy, following a severe foreign exchange crunch in 2022.
Bangladesh crisis: How trade with India could face major disruptions
6-Aug-2024 India Today
The current crisis in Bangladesh threatens to disrupt this partnership, potentially impacting trade flows and halting discussions on a free trade agreement. India closely monitors the situation as instability has already led to internet disruptions and logistical issues, which could affect critical exports and infrastructure projects essential for regional connectivity.