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EU won’t demand ’duty-free’ access to Caribbean markets - Critical of Jamaica’s high cost of business
A European Union (EU) representative in Jamaica, moving to calm fears that duty-free goods from that region would storm the Caribbean come January 1, 2008 has said the 27-member bloc is not expecting full reciprocity on its blanket offer to eliminate duties on regionally-produced goods entering its market.
Trade accord with Laos signed
The Philippines and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic signed yesterday an agreement on the promotion and protection of investments to increase bilateral trade that has remained low between the two members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Consumers wait in vain for FTA price reductions
The president of the Dominican Association of Wholesale Importers (ASODAI) Manuel Cabrera says that price reductions are being introduced gradually with the tariff reductions that have come about with the entry into effect of the DR-CAFTA treaty. However, fewer products than originally hoped are affected.
Washington wants rice included in FTA talks with KL
The US Government said Malaysia must open its rice market to reach a free trade agreement, opposing the protectionist stance of the South-East Asian nation.
Philippines needs safety nets in trade pact with Japan
A senior senator in the Philippines on Wednesday said the Philippine government must impose safety nets to safeguard the jobs of thousands of Filipino workers particularly in the garments, electric appliances, and automobile assembly sectors, who stand to lose their jobs if the trade deal with Japan goes through.
Free-trade deal ’devastating’
For the first time in six years, Canada has negotiated a new free-trade agreement - one which could cost the Atlantic shipbuilding industry hundreds of jobs.
Vietnam reduces tariffs on RoK imports
The Ministry of Finance has issued new tariffs imposed on goods imported from the Republic of Korea (RoK) following the ASEAN-RoK Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) coming into effect on June 1.
More Japanese investors eye Vietnam
Many of the over 170 Japanese businesses present at a June 7 workshop in Tokyo on the Vietnam investment climate have spoken of their possible projects in the Southeast Asian market.
EC provides 7.2 mln Euros to support Asean integration process
The European Commission (EC) has officially launched a 7.2 million euros (RM33.2 million) programme to support the Asean integration process.
First meeting of ALBA ministers concludes in Venezuela
The countries that make up the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) trade block met in Venezuela this Wednesday for a meeting of the ALBA Ministers. The meeting set forth some of the future integration projects, the organizational structure, and the countries agreed on the formation of an ALBA development bank.
EU sponsors new study on EPAs
Uganda will benefit from a $64,000 fund from the European Union aimed at supporting studies on the likely impact of international trade on its environment.
Africans speak out against EPAs as unwelcome
When European campaigners suggest that a free trade deal could harm the poor, they typically encounter a frosty reaction from civil servants in Brussels. Still, no one tries to muzzle them.
Japan, Australia to attend to agriculture in FTA talks
Japan and Australia agreed Thursday to pay close attention to Tokyo’s politically sensitive agricultural issues when they advance talks for a bilateral free-trade agreement, the next round of which is slated for late July.
Thai logistics must improve for ASEAN-China FTA
Thailand must address its logistics problems if it wants to receive full benefit from the ASEAN-China free trade area agreement, to be effective on 2010, according to new research.
Viet Nam, Japan enter third round of trade negotiations
The third round of negotiations to draft the Viet Nam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) opened in Tokyo yesterday.
EU, ACP determined to meet end-of-year deadline for EPAs
Leaders from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states have vowed once again to work to finalise a set of free trade agreements with the EU before a critical end-of-year deadline, although many issues in the negotiations remain unresolved.
Secret FTA deal could lower meat safety standards
In a secret deal struck just before the two countries signed a free trade agreement (FTA) in early April, the South Korean government promised the US it would offer a "de facto" relinquishment of its authority to conduct hygiene and quarantine tests on US imported beef.
Emerson announces new trade strategy for Canada
Trade Minister David Emerson, denouncing those who fear Canadians can’t compete internationally, announced Thursday a new strategy that includes the first free trade deal Canada has struck in six years.
Japan urges Indonesia to finalize investment list
Indonesia needs to finalize the negative lists of investment from Japan because any delay could potentially hamper the signing of the long-awaited Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), a Japanese envoy said Thursday.
Uribe, back in Washington, lobbies for trade accord
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe will press reluctant US lawmakers today for a free-trade accord as concern mounts at home that without a treaty, the country may see resurgent rebel violence and drug trafficking.