bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

services


Rigging the rules: How Big Tech uses stealth “trade” agreements and how we can stop them
Efforts to curb the ruinous business practices of the Big Tech corporations are at risk of being impeded by “digital trade” rules negotiated in international trade pacts. It is time to overturn this anti-regulatory agenda in favour of a governance model that prioritizes digital industrialization and data as a public good.
Qatar and Morocco conclude second round of FTA negotiations
Qatar and Morocco have concluded the second round of talks on free trade agreement (FTA), a move that is expected to further accelerate trade growth by encouraging co-operation between businesses in both the countries.
Indo-US Trade Policy Forum likely to be held in early 2023
The TPF is a premier forum to resolve trade and investment issues between India and the US, focusing on agriculture, investment, innovation (intellectual property rights), services and tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Belarus, UAE discuss possible agreement on free trade in services
The Economy Ministry of Belarus and the Ministry of Economy of the United Arab Emirates have held online technical consultations to discuss the possibility of concluding an agreement on free trade in services and investment.
China to implement negative list for cross-border trade in services
China will implement a negative list for cross-border trade in services, expand opening-up in the services sector and bolster digital trade to shore up economic growth, said government officials.
ITACO launches multi-billion dollar arbitration against Vietnam
Tan Tao Investment & Industry Corporation launched a billion-dollar arbitration proceeding against Vietnam under the agreement between the United States and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
ECOWAS regional experts meet on the draft Ecowas common schedule of specific commitments on trade in services for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
To date, a total of forty-three (43) African countries are State Parties to the Agreement of the AfCFTA, including twelve (12) ECOWAS Member States.
Turkish firms move WB, seek $230m award against Pakistan
Two Turkish waste management companies have filed a complaint in the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) seeking a $230 million award against Pakistan
Britain launches free trade deal talks with Mexico
Britain is launching talks over a free trade deal with Mexico, looking to add services to its current agreement as well as aiming to increase trade in the financial and digital sectors.
AfCFTA: Cross-border service integration will boost African oil and gas industry, says Briggs
Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs, Chairman of Platform Petroleum Limited, has admonished that cross-border service integration through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will boost the African oil and gas industry.
ECOWAS experts meet to consider draft offer on trade in services for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
The 7th Regional meeting reviewed the draft ECOWAS Offer for the AfCFTA Trade in Services negotiations and held bilateral sessions between ECOWAS Commission and Member States.
Policy brief on digital trade
The “digital trade agenda” would see the ability of governments to regulate big tech in the public interest severely curtailed.
EAC eyes trade-in-services under AfCFTA Agreement
The East African Community (EAC) is developing a strategy to boost trade-in-services, which will position the bloc better in the negotiations of service liberalisation at the continental level.
China to further open services sector
China’s commitments under RCEP will will usher in a new era of liberalization in the country’s services industry.
SADC operationalises protocol on trade in services
The Southern African Development Community has operationalised the Protocol on Trade in Services after 11 countries of the 16-member bloc including Zimbabwe ratified the pact.
Tentative plans to sign CIS free trade in services agreement in May 2022
The agreement on free trade in services in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) may be signed in May 2022, said CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev.
Ukraine, Israel to hold talks on free trade in services next year - Ambassador Brodsky
Ukraine and Israel will start negotiations next year on the signing of an agreement on free trade in services, Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky has said.
EU-ESA EPA: EU proposals (Jun 2021)
Another Turkish firm moves ICSID against Pakistan
Turkish construction company Bayindir filed a claim under the 1995 Turkey-Pakistan bilateral investment treaty at the ICSID on October 12.
India, UK agree to be ambitious on services deal in FTA negotiations
India and the United Kingdom expressed their commitment to working out a free trade agreement and said the two countries would be ambitious while negotiating on services in the deal.