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Thai-EU FTA raises alarm for people with AIDS
Days before leaders of the European Union arrived in Norway to collect this year’s Nobel Peace prize, Thai public health activists sent a letter to the northern powerhouse, warning that the EU’s 2012 accolades face a credibility test in this Southeast Asian country.
Mexico finds unlikely allies in trade fight
As tomato growers in Florida and some other states fight a 16-year-old agreement that they contend allows farmers in Mexico to export tomatoes at a price below their costs, the Mexican farmers are finding allies in the United States.
Investment protection clause: India can’t do a Maldives without paying a price
Recent disputes, including the GMR-Maldives government row and the clash between foreign telecom firms Telenor, Sistema, Etisalat and Vodafone and the Indian government, have exposed India’s vulnerable position in investment agreements. While the foreign telecom companies can use a potent weapon - the ’investment protection’ clause in bilateral treaties - against India, GMR cannot do the same with Maldives.
US commends Nicaragua’s trade liberalization
The U.S. government is commending Nicaragua for its continued trade liberalization and integration into the global economy under the Sandinista government of President Daniel Ortega.
BD-India bilateral trade up by 20pc
Bilateral trade between Bangladesh and India rose nearly 20 per cent to more than US$ 4.50 billion in the fiscal year (FY) 2011-12 following reduction of sensitive lists by the relevant authorities in both the countries in late 2011.
Duty-free access: Infrastructure hurdles restrict Pak-India trade
Businessmen and traders of Pakistan and India have agreed that infrastructure bottlenecks are hindering the growth in trade relations between the two sides and these should be removed to deepen the ties.
SRA wants sugar quota allocation from Japan
The government is asking Japan that Filipino sugar exporters be given a regular quota of 150,000-200,000 metric tons per year under the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA).
Obstacles to an Indonesia-Taiwan economic partnership
More often than not, whenever a Taiwanese official pays a visit to Jakarta, there is usually one question on his mind: “Dude […] where’s my FTA?”
Asean FTA conclusion sets stage for India’s massive re-entry to region
The India-Asean commemorative summit just concluded in Delhi has been widely acknowledged as one of India’s recent successful diplomatic initiatives. As many as nine heads of states and governments out of ten Asean states attended — Philippines sent its vice-president because the president was unwell — along with a total of 47 ministers, proving, if proof were needed, that when Delhi puts its heart into something, it usually turns out alright.
Different trade agreements to boost textile industry
Advisor to Prime Minister on Textile Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig said that trade concessions on 65 items from the EU, implementation of GSP plus status from Jan 1, 2014, preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Turkey, signing the second phase of free trade agreement (FTA) with China and trade opportunities with India are reasons for buoyancy in textiles.
Portugal expects FTA to bolster EU-GCC trade ties
Buoyed by a big surge in exports to Dubai, Portugal said on Thursday that it expects to significantly boost its trade with the GCC after the conclusion of a long-awaited free-trade agreement between the European Union and the GCC.
ICSID: Ecuador Unlawfully Seized U.S. Firm’s Oil Investments
The World Bank’s International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes has handed down a ruling against the Ecuadorian government, finding that it “unlawfully expropriated” U.S. firm Burlington Resources’ investments in two oil blocks.
Information gap holding back EAC integration
Lack of public information on the operations of the East Africa Community has been blamed for the slow integration among member states.
LDP needs to placate internal foes to TPP entry
After regaining power in Sunday’s general election, the Liberal Democratic Party now faces the challenge of reaching internal consensus on whether Japan should join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks.
TPP decision may come before upper house vote
A decision on whether Japan will join the Trans-Pacific Partnership multilateral free-trade talks could come before the House of Councillors election next summer, which is considered the deadline for declaring participation in the talks, according to observers.
Expert proposes Taiwan-South Korea FTA
Taiwan should deepen trade talks with China and work to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea to race against the upcoming China-Japan-South Korea FTA negotiations, an expert on East Asia said Thursday.
EAC growth model questioned
When the treaty establishing the East African Community (EAC) came into force on July 7, 2000, the main goal was to widen and deepen cooperation for the mutual benefit in economic, political, social and cultural affairs.
EAC calls for fair trade deals with Europe
East Africa Community says any agreement reached should not upset the common market protocol and customs union in the region.
Time for an EU-PHL free trade deal — ECCP
The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) on Thursday said it is committed to support a Philippine-European Union free trade agreement, which it expects to possibly come about in the next three years.
Asean services pact talks concluded
India and the Asssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the 10-member regional grouping, moved closer on Thursday to completing a bilateral trade pact, by finalising a free trade agreement (FTA) on services and investments. They are expected to sign the pact in August 2013.