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Vietnam, Japan conclude WTO talks, eye FTA
13-Dec-2005
Vietnam and Japan yesterday concluded bilateral negotiations over the former’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) while agreeing to hold preliminary talks on a bilateral free-trade agreement (FTA).
Japan can help ASEAN integration
13-Dec-2005
Japan plays a key role in promoting economic integration in Southeast Asia by helping to narrow the gap between developed and less developed countries in the region, scholars from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations told a recent symposium in Tokyo.
FTA will open up new avenues: US official
13-Dec-2005
The immediate effect of the free-trade agreements would help unleash the economic potential of both the US and Oman, a top US official said yesterday.
South Korea signs free trade pact with ASEAN, excludes Thailand
13-Dec-2005 Jakarta Post
South Korea and Southeast Asian nations on Tuesday inked a tariff-slashing Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with Thailand choosing to be excluded from the pact which does not include rice in its list of items.
ASEAN+3 leaders urge efforts for regional free trade bloc
13-Dec-2005 Asia Pulse
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and leaders of the 10 ASEAN countries, Japan and China held a one-day "ASEAN Plus Three Summit" in the Malaysian capital on Monday and adopted a joint statement calling for redoubled efforts for the formation of the so-called East Asia free trade agreement.
FTA ’to bar cheap Aids drugs’
12-Dec-2005
Aids patients are unlikely to gain access to cheaper drugs after the free trade agreement between Thailand and the United States is signed, as the planned Thai-US FTA is likely to protect only American patented drugs.
Bilateral truths
12-Dec-2005
When was the last time you heard Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh talk about the World Trade Organisation?
Accord on early harvest programme with Malaysia next week
12-Dec-2005
Pakistan and Malaysia are signing agreement on Early Harvest Programme (EHP) next week, reducing tariff on 239 industrial and agricultural products, to be effective from next calendar year.
Investment opportunities will continue to increase in the UAE
12-Dec-2005
Investment opportunities will continue to increase in the UAE, according to the principal of one private Equity fund, who pointed to anticipated changes in the federal Company Law as further indication of the country’s liberal economy.
Reciprocal investment protection
12-Dec-2005
The Heads of State and/or Government of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), during the Panama Summit held in July of this year, recognised in its Declaration, “the importance of having a Framework Agreement for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments among ACS members, an instrument that will help to promote, protect and confer legal certainty on investments ...”
Australian ambassador’s big regret: no FTA
12-Dec-2005
Australian Ambassador Colin Heseltine left Seoul two days ago for home at the end of his assignment with one major bit of unfinished business - he was not able to push the excellent bilateral relations between both countries to an even higher level with a free trade agreement.
Manama welcomes US Congress approval of draft FTA with Bahrain
12-Dec-2005
The Bahraini cabinet on Sunday welcomed the US Congress’ endorsement of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Bahrain.
FTA with Asean provides level playing field for South Korea
12-Dec-2005
With the preliminary Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with Asean, South Korea is expected to compete with China and Japan on a level playing field, a South Korean minister said Monday.
PM makes out a strong case for Pan-Asian FTA
12-Dec-2005
Saying that India was examining ways to develop regional trading arrangements with China, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today gave an affirmative commitment here that India will dismantle ’’unwarranted’’ barriers, expand global capital flows and bring down tariff rates to levels prevalent in ASEAN countries, as a build-up to creating an East Asian Community.
Venezuela gains Mercosur entry, deepening relations
12-Dec-2005 Bloomberg
Venezuela today gained entry into the South American trade group Mercosur, a move pursued by President Hugo Chavez to help strengthen regional agreements and thwart a US-sponsored accord for the hemisphere.
CARICOM signs free trade agreement with Cuba
12-Dec-2005 Caribbean Network News
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders and Cuban President Fidel Castro have made an agreement giving Cuba access to free trade in the region.
Statement from US sugar producers regarding US-Peru FTA
12-Dec-2005 ASA
The US sugar industry strongly prefers that negotiation of sugar market access occur in the multilateral, comprehensive WTO context, where foreign subsidies can also be addressed, rather than in bilateral and regional FTAs, where subsidies are not addressed.
Japan, Vietnam agree to begin FTA negotiations as soon as possible
11-Dec-2005 Kazinform
Japan and Vietnam agreed Friday to begin full-fledged negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement as soon as necessary conditions are met, Japan’s trade minister said.
China, Pakistan harvest ties
10-Dec-2005
Pakistani mangos and oranges will be imported into China at zero tariff from January 1, 2006, while Chinese-made textile machinery and organic chemicals will enjoy free duty in Pakistan at the same time.
DR, Mercosur initiate talks on free trade
10-Dec-2005
The Common Market of the South (Mercosur), made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, today signed a "document of intention" with Dominican Republic for "broadening the common political and economic dialogue."