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Ecuador, Colombia to have talks on FTA with US
31-Dec-2005
Ecuadoran President Alfredo Palacio will travel to Bogota in January to discuss with his Colombian counterpart, Alvaro Uribe, a free trade agreement (FTA) that their countries are negotiating with the United States.
Australian businesses reap rewards of Thai free trade agreement
30-Dec-2005 Asia Pulse
The Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) has benefited Australian companies since it began in January through expanded opportunities and increased market access, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile, said.
The great maze: Regional and bilateral free trade agreements in Asia
30-Dec-2005 UNDP
This UNDP paper is divided into four main parts. Parts I, II and III examine the phenomenon of FTA proliferation and the underlying forces and motivations of key players at work. Part IV builds on the analysis to address the impact of the FTA explosion on human development policy choices in key areas such as agriculture, textiles, rules of origin, intellectual property, trade in services, and investment.
Bolivia: A new weave for ALBA
30-Dec-2005 Dissident Voice
The decisive numbers of Evo Morales’ election victory in South America’s poorest country give him the legitimacy he needs to redistribute Bolivia’s wealth in favor of the impoverished and excluded majority. But he faces enormous pressure from foreign corporations and international financial institutions to continue promoting superficial economic growth for the benefit of a small elite.
Tangled web we weave
30-Dec-2005
The hundreds of bilateral and regional trade deals around or being crafted is creating a brave new world for business, reports Daniel Hilken
CAFTA to miss New Year’s Day target
30-Dec-2005
The Central American Free Trade Agreement, a Bush administration priority passed by the House in July after a bruising political fight, will not take effect New Year’s Day, the target date set by the White House.
Free trade regime between Pakistan and China from Jan 1
30-Dec-2005
Pakistan and China are set to launch the much awaited free trade regime under the Early Harvest Programme (EHP) from January 1.
Industries eye qiz option
30-Dec-2005 Business Monthly
When representatives of Egypt, Israel and the US met in Cairo last December, they signed a historic agreement that more or less linked Egypt’s industrial success to its willingness to cooperate with its traditional foe, Israel.
CRS report for Congress: US-Thailand FTA negotiations
30-Dec-2005
The US-Thailand FTA negotiations are of interest to Congress because (1) an agreement would require passage of implementing legislation to go into effect; (2) an agreement could increase U.S. exports of goods, services, and investment, with particular benefits for agricultural exports; and (3) an agreement could increase competition for U.S. import-competing industries such as textiles and apparel and light trucks, thereby raising the issue of job losses.
Uruguayan congress passes investment treaty with United States
29-Dec-2005 Washington File
The Uruguayan government has ratified a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with the United States that is intended to enhance bilateral relations as well as trade and investment ties, according to the U.S. State Department.
Malawi, Mozambique to sign bilateral trade accord
29-Dec-2005
Mozambique and Malawi are to liberalise trade between the two countries, under a preferential trade agreement to be signed on Wednesday, trade and industry ministry officials said here Tuesday.
Talks on EHP with Thailand in Feb
29-Dec-2005
Pakistan and Thailand will hold second round of study group meeting in February next to pave the way for initiation of talks on the early harvest programme (EHP) leading to zero rate of duty.
Trade liberalisation without co-operation a no-no
29-Dec-2005
William Jefferson Clinton once said that “the opposition to globalisation in the world is rooted in people who feel left out, left behind and stepped on in other countries.” Apparently, having accepted our status as doormats, the developing world has once again sent our highest authorities to the other end of the world to continue to hammer out a trade deal that maintains our city-mouse/country-mouse dynamic.
Government insists it met with Free Trade requirements
29-Dec-2005
The Dominican government reiterated today that the country “met the requirements” and “is ready” to enter the Free Trade Agreement with Central America and the United States (DR-CAFTA), but that it decided to postpone entering free trade until next July.
Trade under Safta from Jan in doldrums
28-Dec-2005 The News International
With three days left to meet the deadline, the trade under South Asia Free Trade Agreement (Safta) among the Saarc counties from January 1, next year is in doldrums as Sri Lanka says it will ratify Safta draft some time in April next year.
KCCI urges Bangladesh to sign free trade agreement
28-Dec-2005 Daily Times
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) asked the Bangladesh to materialize the signing of agreed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) without any further loss of time.
Free trade agreements: Impact on US trade and implications for US trade policy
28-Dec-2005
FTAs are now a significant U.S. trade policy tool. Their rapid emergence raises some important policy issues for the US Congress as it considers implementing legislation and monitors negotiations as part of its oversight responsibilities.
Kamal Nath wants FM to correct inverted duty under Thai FTA
27-Dec-2005 Financial Express
India’s department of industrial policy and promotion has asked the finance ministry to correct the inverted duty structure on a few product lines under the India-Thailand free trade agreement (FTA).
Turkey and Egypt sign Free Trade Agreement
27-Dec-2005 JTW News
Both countries are currently committed to the Barcelona process and plan to join the Mediterranean free trade region by 2010. The process envisages the foundation of a free trade region consisting of 25 European Union and 10 Mediterranean countries, including Turkey and Egypt.
SAFTA to allow direct trade with Pakistan
27-Dec-2005 Indian Express
India and Pakistan will be able to trade directly without the help of third-country destinations once the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) comes into force from January 1.