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Leading on free trade
11-Apr-2005 Korea Times
The Roh administration has not had an easy time handling the foreign policy file. But for all its faults and foibles, there is one very important portion of that file in which the president has provided some strong leadership: free trade.
India yes to Bipa, no to FTA/RTA
11-Apr-2005 Financial Express
The government of India is set to initial a Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (Bipa) with China with the two pending issues on security and legal jurisdiction being sorted out by the National Security Adviser in the Prime Minister’s Office. A free trade agreement, however, looks distant with the domestic industry raising serious concerns.
FTA with EU looks more imminent than ever
11-Apr-2005 Zawya
The stage is being developed for a fast-track free trade agreement (FTA) between the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council and 25-member European Union. Possibly, the EU has felt the urge to sign an FTA with the GCC now that the US has moved to reach bilateral agreements with individual GCC states.
Automakers holding up JPEPA
11-Apr-2005 ABS-CBN
Issues involving tariff protection and reduction on automotive products have delayed the conclusion of talks over the planned Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
Signatures to stalk FTA
10-Apr-2005
Opponents of the Thai-US free trade agreement are gathering 50,000 signatures to sponsor a bill requiring the government to get public and parliamentary approval for any commitments it reaches with a foreign country.
FTA with Australia, NZ to cover textiles, forestry
10-Apr-2005 Jakarta Post
Indonesia will propose special facilities for some of its leading industries in upcoming preliminary negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with Australia and New Zealand, a minister has said.
Bahrain businessmen propose FTA to Philippines
10-Apr-2005 Manila Bulletin
Bahrain businessmen have identified areas to improve bilateral trade relations with the Philippines can be improved including the forging of a free trade agreement (FTA).
Why an FTA gives us cold feet
10-Apr-2005 Times of India
why is China so keen on an FTA and India less eager?
Thailand pressured to exclude autos from FTA talks with Japan
9-Apr-2005 Kyodo
US and European carmakers recently demanded the Thai government exclude the automobile sector from free trade negotiations with Japan and warned that they may abandon investment in Thailand if import tariffs on Japanese luxury cars are lifted, local media reported Friday.
Chinese PM to press FTA deal with India
9-Apr-2005 Economic Times
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will propose to establish the world’s biggest Free Trade Area (FTA) between China and India during talks with the Indian leadership next week.
US firm on IP rights protection
9-Apr-2005 Bangkok Post
US chief negotiator Barbara Weisel assured that the FTA agreement would not affect drug prices in Thailand.
Japan, S Korea to advance FTA talks
9-Apr-2005
Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki and South Korean Finance and Economy Minister Han Duck Soo agreed Saturday to make progress by the end of the year on resuming stalled talks for a bilateral free trade agreement.
FTA would have little impact on Japan’s farm sector: Aust
9-Apr-2005
A free trade agreement (FTA) between Japan and Australia would not deal a serious blow to Japanese agricultural sectors, a senior Australian Government official says.
US hails progress in Thailand talks
8-Apr-2005
US negotiators on Friday wound up a third round of negotiations with their Thai counterparts on a proposed free trade agreement, saying they were pleased with the progress made.
Singapore and Panama hope to sign FTA later this year
8-Apr-2005
Singapore and Panama have successfully concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement which both countries hope to sign later this year.
Japan rules out early FTA and PTA with Pakistan
8-Apr-2005 Business Recorder
Japanese Foreign Minister Nobuptaka Mechimura has ruled out any possibility of early Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Pakistan.
Indonesia, Japan likely to negotiate FTA soon
8-Apr-2005 VNA
Indonesia and Japan are likely to start talks on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) later this month during Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s attendance at the Asia-Africa Summit in Jakarta.
Howard opens Malaysian trade talks
8-Apr-2005
Australia and Malaysia are to begin formal negotiations on a bilateral trade deal as part of efforts to improve their sometimes tense relations. The negotiations were announced in Canberra yesterday after talks between John Howard, Australia’s prime minister, and Abdullah Badawi, the first Malaysian prime minister to visit the country in more than 20 years.
Scotiabank files $600M US claim against Argentina
7-Apr-2005
Scotiabank has filed a $600 million US compensation claim against Argentina, claiming that "discriminatory" actions taken by Argentine authorities led to the total loss of its investment in its Scotiabank Quilmes subsidiary in 2002.
New requirement imposed on fruit exports to China
7-Apr-2005
Fruit exporters seeking to enjoy tariff-free access to China must ensure that their products come from orchards certified by local authorities, starting on May 1.