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SAARC’s political will facing test
27-Apr-2007
The SAARC countries are now striving to set a uniform product standard for the group after years of complaints by the weaker ones among them about non-acceptance of their national certifications of product quality by their stronger counterparts. It has persistently posed as a difficult non-trade barrier that has obstructed bilateral trade.
Regional churches reject Economic Partnership Agreements
27-Apr-2007
Churches from Southern and Eastern Africa have called for a review of the proposed Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the European Union and the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.
South Korea accepts U.S. beef
27-Apr-2007
For the first time in over three years, South Korea accepted a shipment of U.S. beef Friday. South Korea had rejected three previous shipments of U.S. beef since officially re-opening its market in September of 2006.
The paradoxes of a “democrat”
27-Apr-2007
For those who do not know it, it is at the very least paradoxical that it was precisely President Oscar Arias, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and impassioned defender of “democracy,” who attempted to block a citizens’ initiative that would approve the convening of a referendum to decide on the Costa Rican people’s approval or not of a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States.
Israeli industrialists’ strategy in the global supply chain
27-Apr-2007
The aim of this paper is to try to understand the Israeli industrialists’ strategy in the globalization process in the course of the recent years. The new strategy was implemented in the days of the first Intifada (the Palestinian uprising) in the late 80s. At that time voices were heard in the Association of Israeli Industrialists, the strongest organization of Israeli employers, advocating an agreement with the Palestinians which would not oppose the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, as long as the Palestinian economic dependence on Israel is preserved.
Prospects for fairer trade in the Mediterranean
27-Apr-2007
In 2010 a free trade area will be established within the so-called Euromed zone that will make matters worse for poorer communities in the Mediterranean region. The renowned academic and activist Tonino Perna anticipates that some four million small farmers with less than three hectares of land and small fishermen will be swamped out of business by big companies with big money.
GCC on course to meet 2010 monetary union deadline
27-Apr-2007
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is on course to meet a 2010 deadline to form a monetary union, the UAE Central Bank Governor, Sultan bin Nasser Al Suwaidi, said yesterday. "There is no delay to forming a currency union," he said, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an Islamic Banking Conference held in Dubai.
Trade experts opt for liberal trade regime...reject EPA’s and opts for GSP
27-Apr-2007
Advocacy groups in the country have recommended to the country’s negotiating team in the new trade agreement with the European Union to opt for a more liberal trade pact known as the Generalised System of Preferences plus-scheme.
Woolf lobbies Brussels on Asian liberalisation
27-Apr-2007
Law Society president Fiona Woolf is visiting Brussels today to lobby the European Commission on the liberalisation of legal services in Asia.
EPAs Should Be Subjected to Electoral Test
27-Apr-2007
"Here is a free trade agreement between rich and poor countries in which the former is trying to impose a reciprocal system of trade on the latter, with major consequences for poor people."
Rudd and the art of war
27-Apr-2007
In an age when the new superpower will be China, much has been written about Kevin Rudd becoming Australia’s first Sinophile prime minister.
Trade policy for five years suggested
27-Apr-2007
Trade bodies and associations have asked the government to pursue trade policy for at least three to five years and implement it in letter and spirit.
India seeks Canada’s help in early conclusion of FTA
27-Apr-2007
India has sought Canada’s help in early conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement with it and said the pact would bring a new era of economic relations between the two countries.
Unions back ALP to negotiate China FTA
27-Apr-2007
Unions have given Labor the go ahead to negotiate a free trade deal with China after the ALP agreed to address fears about potential job losses in Australia.
Businesses in Costa Rica opine on trade agreement with European Union
27-Apr-2007 Tico Times
Costa Rican business leaders are being given a chance to opine on an association agreement between Central American and the European Union before these two regions begin negotiating the agreement in Brussels, Belgium, in June.
Union solidarity forces new look at Colombia trade deal
27-Apr-2007 People’s Weekly World
Prospects for passage of Bush’s free trade agreement (FTA) with Colombia are dwindling in the face of pressure on Congress from U.S. and Colombian unions coupled with widespread reports of anti-labor atrocities, and new evidence of Colombian paramilitary and government collusion with the violent union repression.
Uruguay/US trade and investment talks in Washington
27-Apr-2007 MercoPress
Uruguay and United States resumed on Thursday trade and investment talks in Washington with the purpose of increasing bilateral exchanges.
EPA may "destroy" Malawi’s manufacturing potential
27-Apr-2007 IPS
Economic circles in eastern and southern Africa are abuzz with discussions about the advantages and disadvantages of the economic partnership agreement (EPA) which governments of these countries are negotiating with the European Union (EU).
A matter of political will: How the European Union can maintain market access for African, Caribbean and Pacific countries in the absence of Economic Partnership Agreements
27-Apr-2007
The European Commission has threatened 76 of the world’s poorest countries with lower access to the EU market if they fail to sign new trade deals known as Economic Partnerhip Agreements (EPAs) by the end of 2007. But the threats are not justified.
South Africa: EU agreement has "not been beneficial"
26-Apr-2007 IPS
A senior member of parliament of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), Ben Turok, says the existing trade agreement between South Africa and the European Union (EU) has not benefited his country.