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BITs and ICSID: transnational-friendly justice
7-Nov-2012 Observatorio Petrolero Sur
It is necessary to debate these issues and raise awareness on the effects of foreign investment, on the implications of BITs and ICSID as a means of consolidating our dependency.
Understanding free trade through the KORUS FTA & the necessity of regional economic cooperation
6-Nov-2012 La Via Campesina
This booklet is based on the discussions between activists and academics during strategy meetings in Seoul and in Japan about economic cooperation in the Asia Pacific region. It focuses on the KORUS FTA which is a model of TPPA but also deals with the alternative model.
Japan asks EU for leadership in starting FTA talks with Japan
6-Nov-2012 Kyodo
Japan asked the European Union on Monday to exert leadership in enabling the launch of free trade talks between Japan and the regional bloc, with top EU officials pledging to explain the need for such talks to member states.
Vodafone tax case may delay India-Canada investment protection pact
6-Nov-2012 Dow Jones
A foreign investment protection deal between India and Canada—which was expected to be signed this week, according to media reports—is likely to be delayed because New Delhi is reviewing all similar agreements after its tax dispute with Vodafone Group PLC.
Disagreements slow down EAC integration
6-Nov-2012 The Observer
“Right now, Ugandan traders are fighting with Kenya over the issue of cash bonds, Tanzania is lagging behind the integration process because it says it will not allow their land to go, and Zanzibar says it wants to go independent of Tanzania…. so where are the consensus values?”
EU-Singapore FTA to be concluded
6-Nov-2012 Thailand Business News
The EU-Singapore FTA will provide a basic template for the EU FTAs with other ASEAN governments, although perhaps not an exact duplicate, due to agriculture being a less sensitive issue for trade between the EU and Singapore.
Malaysia, European body to begin FTA talks
5-Nov-2012 Bernama
Malaysia and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) today agreed to begin negotiations for a free trade agreement, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said today.
Thailand leader signals will approve trade pact
5-Nov-2012 Market Watch
Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra expects the Thai parliament to approve a Thailand-European Union Free Trade Agreement next year.
DNA exclusive: India digs in heels on free trade pact with Asean
3-Nov-2012 DNA
Ahead of the Indo-Asean summit on free trade agreement on November 19, India is considering the proposal of suspending negotiations on both services and investment.
Death squads, murder and US corruption in Colombia
3-Nov-2012 CounterPunch
News broke this week that Francisco Santos, who served as Colombia’s VP under President Alvaro Uribe from 2002 to 2010, met three times with leaders of the right-wing paramilitary organization known as the AUC. That Santos, who openly urged AUC death squads to carry out killings, was the standard bearer for Colombia’s FTA lobbying efforts is emblematic of what the FTA is all about.
Malaysia-Australia FTA in Parliament
3-Nov-2012 Invest in Australia
Australian exporters of dairy products, automotive parts, iron and steel will benefit from improved market access under the MAFTA. Malaysia has also committed to allowing majority Australian ownership of service providers in such industries as telecommunications, insurance, education, tourism, research and development, accountancy and mining-related services.
The first round of negotiations for the Japan-Canada Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
3-Nov-2012 METI
The first round of negotiations for the Japan-Canada Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) will be held in Tokyo from Monday, November 26 to Friday, November 30.
Egypt & Malaysia to start FTA talks
3-Nov-2012 North Africa Post
Egypt and Malaysia look forward to setting up a free trade zone to boost the weak trade exchanges between the countries having great economic potentials and huge consumer markets.
Lot of work left on Canada-EU trade deal, both sides say
2-Nov-2012 Reuters
Several sensitive matters remain to be settled, including access for agricultural goods, opening up procurement markets and the extension of pharmaceutical patents.
Food crisis: The fight for corn
29-Oct-2012 CIP Americas Program
In an era of food crisis, the fight for corn has intensified, and the importance of this grain—a staple in the Mexican diet and a large part of the world—has been revealed to the fullest extent.
Venezuela joins Mercosur: A new strategic alliance
29-Oct-2012 CIP Americas Program
Venezuela’s entry into Mercosur has had interpretations centered on the economic and commercial aspects, but the most important it is a geopolitical and geoenergy matter.
Deepening the U.S.-EU Transatlantic Trade Partnership
29-Oct-2012 Be Your Own Leader
Overshadowed by the upcoming American election are reports that the U.S. and EU are working towards launching official negotiations on a deal that would further deepen their transatlantic trade partnership.
India, Canada to discuss FTA in PMs’ meet this week
28-Oct-2012 PTI
In a bid to boost trade and investments, India and Canada will be reviewing the progress of ongoing negotiations for the proposed free trade pact during the week-long visit of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper starting November 4.
Get ready for US-Europe free trade
26-Oct-2012 IBD
Europe’s Parliament has moved to revitalize the continent’s weak economy by clearing the way for a free-trade agreement with the US. A baby step, yes, but if it succeeds, it’ll be the mother of all trade pacts.
European investors cool toward China
26-Oct-2012 China Daily
The EU expects more investment from China to help it combat its debt crisis, but there is not yet a good mechanism to regulate that investment.