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Pan-Asian FTA possible
31-Aug-2012
Sixteen nations home to roughly half the world’s population have agreed "in principle" to create a free trade area spanning Asia, according to Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan.
Pakistan, China FTA review: MoI, industrialists begin consultations
30-Aug-2012
Ministry of Industries (MoI) has started consulting with industrial representatives ahead of talks between Pakistan and China as part of the process to review Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Both countries signed FTA on November 24, 2006 which according to business circles has hurt some local industries very badly.
Taiwan’s dignity should be maintained in FTA signings: academic
30-Aug-2012
Taiwan should maintain its dignity when it signs Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with other countries, a National Taiwan University professor said Wednesday.
Civic groups voice FTA worries
30-Aug-2012 Bangkok Post
Civil society organisations have expressed concerns about Thai-European Union free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations to the European Parliament, which has expressed full support for the pact.
18 Thai civil society groups urge EU Parliament delegation to reconsider TRIPS-plus provisions in EU-Thailand FTA
30-Aug-2012 Infojustice
The letter warns that the TRIPS-Plus provisions in the trade agreement between EU and Thailand – including border measures, data exclusivity, patent term extensions, and protection for new indications – would block access to generic medicines.
India, ASEAN to review talks on FTA in services and investments
29-Aug-2012
Trade ministers of India and 10-member ASEAN will review the progress of ongoing negotiations to widen the base of free trade agreement between them by including services and investments.
Pacific leaders urged to wrap up talks on trade deal
29-Aug-2012
Pacific members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) were urged Tuesday to wrap up talks on a trade deal with the European Union this year.
Growing Opposition to the Canada-EU Trade Agreement
29-Aug-2012 Be Your Own Leader
The whole process has lacked openness, transparency and any public consultations. In Canada, there are concerns over the threat it poses to local democracy. This includes fears of deregulation and privatization, as well the expansion of corporate investor rights.
Australia scraps carbon floor price, agrees EU link
29-Aug-2012 Reuters
Australia and the European Commission on Tuesday agreed to link their carbon trading schemes by 2018, allowing Australian companies to buy cheaper EU carbon credits and providing a much-needed boost for the flagging European market.
India, Canada start negotiating CEPA
28-Aug-2012 IBNS
India and Canada have commenced negotiations towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) covering Trade in Services, Trade in Goods, Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary Measures, Rules of Origin, Technical Barriers to Trade etc.
The Pacific free trade deal that’s anything but free
27-Aug-2012 The Guardian
Just Foreign Policy is offering a reward, now up to $21,100, to WikiLeaks if it publishes a draft copy of the TPP. People could add to the reward fund, or if in a position to do so, make a copy of the draft agreement available to the world.
Negotiations between EAC, EPA on track despite hitches
27-Aug-2012
East Africa Community (EAC) General Secretary, Dr Richard Sezibera said despite progress made in the ongoing negotiations in the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union, there were still contentious issues to be addressed.
S. Korea says Japan free trade talks ‘difficult’ due to tensions
27-Aug-2012
South Korea said resuming negotiations with Japan over a free trade agreement will be difficult given a maritime territorial spat.
S. Korea, China make headway in FTA talks
27-Aug-2012
South Korea and China have made progress in their free trade talks with both countries agreeing on removing tariffs on products within 10 years after the implementation of their free trade accord, Seoul’s trade ministry said Monday.
Meeting vital to meet minsters deadline
24-Aug-2012
Pacific-African, Caribbean and Pacific (PACP) trade officials and ministers met in Nuku’alofa, Tonga earlier this month to discuss key issues, which included the Management of PACP Group, Fiji’s participation in the PACP and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations with the EU.
Cut wages, sign FTAs, says pro-industry forum
24-Aug-2012
Industrial heavyweights yesterday urged the government to speed up the signing of free-trade agreements with major trading partners and take concrete steps to make the nation more business-friendly.
Indonesia seeks trade, but not free trade
24-Aug-2012
Indonesia is eager to boost trade with Canada, but the South Asian country isn’t interested in two of the Harper government’s top priorities — pursuing a free-trade deal or buying Alberta oilsands crude.
InCACBI Statement on India-Israel Free Trade Agreement
24-Aug-2012 India Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (InCACBI)
We, a group of academics, activists and artists in India, came together in 2010 to campaign against yet another apartheid regime by extending support to the international campaign for the academic and cultural boycott of Israel.
Sri Lanka not keen on CEPA with India
24-Aug-2012
Sri Lanka has apparently informed Indian authorities it was not keen on having a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India, as it feared granting more Indian access to its markets would destroy that country’s domestic industry. However, it has made its own set of fresh demands to consider under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is under operation since March 2000.
FTA Fund to aid development of fish products
23-Aug-2012
Free Trade Agreement Fund officials are pursuing a plan to develop Thai fish products in local communities, as concern grows that the domestic market is facing an influx of cheaper fisheries produce from neighbouring countries under the Asean seamless market. The plan will focus on developing the procurement and processing of gourami, a freshwater fish currently farmed mainly in Chachoengsao province.