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SK, US differ as to whether Kaesong included in FTA
5-Apr-2007 Hankyoreh
Seoul says it could be deemed an ‘outward processing zone’; US says no clause in FTA refers to joint Korean industrial complex
South Korea and India seek to cement closer economic partnership
5-Apr-2007 Playfuls
South Korea and India agreed to work towards sealing a comprehensive economic partnership agreement by the end of this year, the Seoul Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
EU makes tricky offer more tempting
5-Apr-2007 IPS
The European Union has this week sought to increase the likelihood that it will sign controversial free trade agreements with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries by offering to open its markets to virtually all of their agricultural goods.
Indo-Qatari labour pact to be amended soon
5-Apr-2007 Gulf Times
Sacking Indian employees at will could be reduced drastically in Qatar, if not eliminated, when a 1985 bilateral labour agreement is amended soon.
A free trade accord with India is only a first step
5-Apr-2007 APF Canada
Canada has taken a new initiative with the recent proposal for an Indo-Canadian Free Trade Agreement.
Sri Lanka-Nepal free trade deal could trigger trade, but also potential for opening services
4-Apr-2007 LBO
A proposed free-trade deal between Nepal and Sri Lanka could boost trade but analysts say there is more potential for service liberalization.
S Korea’s finance minister hints at FTA talks with China
4-Apr-2007 Yonhap
South Korea’s finance minister said Wednesday that the government may push to strike a free trade agreement (FTA) with China after it wraps up negotiations with the European Union (EU).
Thailand eyes expansion of FTA deal to India
4-Apr-2007 MCOT
Thailand is ready to expand the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to India if the ASEAN-India FTA talks fail to reach an agreement.
Civic groups continue rally against SK-US trade deal
4-Apr-2007 Hankyoreh
With South Korea and the United States forging a free trade agreement on April 2, civic groups here were ratcheting up their opposition to the economic pact, blaming the government for "giving up our sovereignty in return for nothing."
US free trade deal with South Korea gives push to Canada’s talks, official says
4-Apr-2007 CBC
"For the Koreans, the US was a priority so now that that is out of the way, we’re hopeful we’ll reach an agreement in the near future," a Canadian government official said Tuesday.
US-Korea FTA (2007): US summary of agreement
4-Apr-2007 USTR
Published by USTR
US-ROK pact may prompt govt to rethink FTA stance
4-Apr-2007 Yomiuri Shimbun
The Japanese government is likely to reconsider its stance on free trade agreements in light of a pact concluded Monday between South Korea and the United States
Nigeria: Between trade agreements and poverty impact
4-Apr-2007 AllAfrica.com
EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson admitted that if the EPA negotiation does not finish this year, there are options available which he termed as expensive and not so good.
FTA Watch and allies reject JTEPA
3-Apr-2007 FTA Watch
Today is a day of the deepest shame for Thailand and the Tai people. The coup-installed government of Gen Surayuth Chulanon has decided to sign a free trade agreement with Japan. This is in spite of the nation-wide impact that this agreement will have on the environment, biological resources, farmers, patients, small businesses and the majority consumers of health services. We insist that JTEPA as signed by the government today is null and void. We reject it and refute any obligations it places on the Thai people.
Japan-Thailand FTA (JTEPA, 2007)
3-Apr-2007 MOFA
Thai, Japanese leaders ink free trade pact
3-Apr-2007 MCOT
Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on Tuesday signed a landmark free trade accord which proponents in Thailand hope will boost bilateral trade, but which has drawn protests from non-governmental organisations and environmental activists.
SK-US FTA, as it stands, should not be accepted
3-Apr-2007 Hankyoreh
Little was gained for Korea in the negotiations and the final draft reflects mostly an acceptance of American demands, writes The Hankyoreh.
Japan mulls FTA study with US, ready to resume talks with S. Korea
3-Apr-2007 Kyodo
Japan will study the pros and cons of a free trade agreement with the United States and is ready to restart FTA talks with South Korea, Cabinet ministers said Tuesday following a deal Washington and Seoul struck Monday.
SK reportedly agrees to nix testing US genetically modified crops
3-Apr-2007 Hankyoreh
South Korea has reportedly exempted US foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from safety tests in the Korea-US free trade agreement struck on April 2, a move that Korean environmentalists criticised as the government "selling off" the health of the nation.
FTA protestor who immolated himself in serious condition
3-Apr-2007 Hankyoreh
Heo Se-ok, who set himself on fire on April 1 in protest of the Korean government’s moves to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with the US, still remains in serious condition with burns over 63 percent of body, hospital officials said. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions issued a statement holding the government responsible for Heo’s taking of extreme measures to protest the situation.